MUSCAT : Speaking at a joint press conference in Muscat, Oman’s Foreign Minister H.E. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and his Japanese counterpart stressed that maritime security must be protected in accordance with international law, amid continuing uncertainty in the Middle East.

H.E. Sayyid Badr Albusaidi said Oman remained firmly committed to maritime security, international law and preventing further escalation or conflict. He stressed that sustainable security in the Strait of Hormuz ultimately required lasting regional peace built through restraint, diplomacy and continued engagement to address the underlying causes of instability.

Oman has repeatedly highlighted the importance of restoring safe and uninterrupted navigation through the Strait and has been engaged in diplomatic consultations with regional and international partners on arrangements consistent with international law.

The Foreign Minister said the Sultanate would continue working with Japan and other international partners to support dialogue, justice and peaceful solutions, adding that partnerships based on trust, realism and diplomacy were becoming increasingly important in an uncertain global environment.

Economic cooperation also featured prominently in the talks. H.E. Sayyid Badr Albusaidi described economic ties as a key pillar of the Oman-Japan partnership and welcomed the growing involvement of Japanese companies in Oman, particularly in energy, renewable and low-carbon technologies, logistics and infrastructure.

He also expressed Oman’s hope for a positive conclusion to negotiations over a free trade agreement between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Such an agreement, he said, could boost bilateral trade and investment while strengthening supply-chain security and delivering benefits to both countries.

The Japanese Foreign Minister, meanwhile, said Tokyo and Muscat were working to expand cooperation across a broad range of sectors.

He expressed Japan’s appreciation for Oman’s stable, long-term supplies of crude oil and liquefied natural gas and reaffirmed the two countries’ intention to deepen clean-energy cooperation, including in hydrogen and ammonia.

Japan is also preparing a comprehensive cooperation plan aimed at strengthening economic resilience and energy security in response to the current situation in the Middle East, he said.

Referring to Iran, the Japanese minister described the situation as being at a “very critical phase” and expressed hope for further constructive discussions aimed at quickly reducing tensions.

He also underlined the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation through both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al Mandab and strengthening coordination between Oman and Japan on regional maritime security.

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