Sultan Haitham bin Tariq’s visit to Ankara marked a pivotal moment in Omani-Turkish relations, being the first visit by an Omani Sultan to Türkiye in nearly 40 years. While the visit carried symbolic weight, it also reflected deeper shifts in the geopolitical and economic landscape, with both nations seeking to enhance their collaboration across multiple domains. This landmark event underscores Ankara’s growing engagement with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, positioning Oman as the final piece of Türkiye’s Gulf puzzle.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan demonstrated the significance of Sultan Haitham’s visit by personally welcoming him at Ankara airport – an honor reserved for select dignitaries. Sultan Haitham joined the ranks of the Kuwaiti Emir and the Egyptian President as the third Arab leader to receive such a high-level reception in 2024. This gesture reflected Türkiye’sintention to strengthen ties with Oman, a nation whose steady foreign policy and neutral stance have made it a key player in the Gulf region.

During the visit, Sultan Haitham and President Erdoğan signed 10 memorandums of understanding aimed at bolstering trade and diplomatic cooperation. While discussions on defense collaboration remained inconclusive, the agreements signaled a commitment to exploring untapped potential in trade, energy, and cultural relations.

Unlike other GCC states, Oman’s relationship with Türkiye has been relatively stable, devoid of the oscillations seen in Ankara’s ties with nations like Saudi Arabia or the UAE. However, the bilateral relationship has yet to reach its full potential in terms of economic and military collaboration.

Sultan Haitham’s visit highlighted five key areas where Türkiye and Oman aim to deepen their partnership:

Trade Expansion: Both nations seek to elevate their trade exchange to $5 billion, leveraging opportunities in sectors such as construction, tourism, and technology. Turkish companies, renowned for their infrastructure projects across the Gulf, are well-positioned to contribute to Oman’s economic diversification efforts.

Energy Collaboration: A long-term agreement between Oman LNG and Türkiye will see the supply of 1.4 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually for 10 years, starting in 2025. This partnership aligns with Türkiye’s strategy to diversify its energy sources while enhancing Oman’s role as a regional energy supplier.

Regional Stability and Peace Efforts: Both nations share a common stance on resolving the Gaza conflict peacefully. Erdoğan emphasized Türkiye’s readiness to contribute to peace efforts in the region, a sentiment echoed by Oman, which has consistently advocated for dialogue and stability.

Economic Development and Vision 2040: Oman’s ambitious Vision 2040 initiative presents an opportunity for Türkiye to play a more active role in the Sultanate’s economic transformation. Turkish companies are expected to increase their participation in infrastructure and development projects, aiding Oman’s goals for economic diversification.

Cultural and Educational Exchange: Cultural ties between Oman and Türkiye have been further strengthened with initiatives like the opening of a Yunus Emre Institute branch in Muscat, fostering mutual understanding. Sultan Haitham’s visit also included discussions on academic cooperation, with a focus on creating educational opportunities for Omani students in Türkiye.

While defense collaboration has traditionally been a secondary aspect of Omani-Turkish relations, recent developments hint at a gradual shift. Turkish defense products, such as the Pars III 8×8 armored vehicles used in Omani military exercises, signal a growing interest in military cooperation.

However, Oman has yet to match the defense partnerships that Türkiye enjoys with other GCC states. Nations like Qatar and the UAE have already acquired advanced Turkish military equipment, including the renowned Bayraktar TB2 drones. Oman’s cautious approach to military alliances is consistent with its broader foreign policy of neutrality and diversification.

A notable aspect of Oman-Türkiye relations is their potential alignment under NATO’s Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI). While four GCC states – the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar – are members, Oman and Saudi Arabia have yet to join. This initiative offers a platform for collaboration on security-related issues, which could further strengthen Omani-Turkish ties as NATO seeks a foothold in the Gulf.

Türkiye’s relationship with Oman reflects a broader strategy to deepen ties with the GCC as a whole. Over the past decade, Ankara has made significant strides in mending and strengthening its relations with Gulf states, following years of strained ties due to regional conflicts and competing interests. Oman, known for its neutral stance and diplomatic balancing, was the missing link in this equation.

Ankara’s outreach to Oman completes its Gulf strategy, providing a partner with whom it can collaborate without the complexities of historical tensions or ideological divides. By aligning with Oman, Türkiye positions itself as a key player in Gulf politics, capable of engaging with all GCC states on trade, energy, and security.

While there are no major obstacles to Turkish-Omani relations, the partnership remains underdeveloped in several areas. Economic exchanges, though growing, have yet to reach the levels seen between Türkiye and other Gulf states. Defense cooperation, while promising, is still in its early stages.

However, the foundations laid during Sultan Haitham’s visit offer a roadmap for deeper collaboration. Both nations are committed to expanding their partnership incrementally, beginning with trade and energy and moving toward broader political and defense cooperation.

Sultan Haitham’s historic visit to Türkiye signals the beginning of a new chapter in Omani-Turkish relations. By focusing on shared economic and geopolitical interests, both nations have the opportunity to create a partnership that benefits not only their own citizens but also the broader region.

As Ankara and Muscat work to unlock the untapped potential in their relationship, their collaboration could serve as a model for constructive engagement between Türkiye and the Gulf, paving the way for a more interconnected and stable region.

Please follow Blitz on Google News Channel