King Philippe and Queen Mathilde welcome Sultan of Oman for two-day state visit

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will welcome Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman to Belgium for a state visit on 3 and 4 December. The meeting marks a step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

The visit, spanning two days, comprises three key components: protocol and diplomatic engagements, discussions on port and energy cooperation and exchanges on cultural, defence, biopharmaceutical and space partnerships between Belgium and Oman.

^{© BELGA VIDEO MAARTEN WEYNANTS}

A ceremonial reception at Place des Palais in Brussels awaited the Sultan on Tuesday. Following the formal welcome, he joined the King and Queen for a working lunch, where discussions centred on the deepening of ties between the two nations. In the evening, the Sultan will visit Brussels City Hall and meet with the city’s mayor before concluding the day with a state banquet at the Castle of Laeken.

For the Belgian palace, the visit underscores the “excellent relations” between the two nations, attributed in part to the close personal bond between the King and the Sultan. “The intention is that this visit will further strengthen the diplomatic and economic ties that exist between the two countries,” a palace spokesperson said.

The Sultan is accompanied by key members of his government, including his brother, Oman’s deputy prime minister and minister of defence, as well as the minister of foreign affairs. However, his wife did not accompany him, as it is not customary for Omani first ladies to participate in state visits.

Economic collaboration and green hydrogen

Wednesday’s agenda will focus on economic cooperation, particularly in green hydrogen, a cornerstone of Belgium-Oman relations. In February 2022, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visited Oman to advance partnerships in this field. Green hydrogen, a sustainable energy source, is pivotal for Belgium’s goals to decarbonise industry and position itself as a European hub for green energy imports.

A visit to the Port House in Antwerp is also in the planning and will see discussions on existing collaborations and explore future opportunities between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Oman’s Port of Duqm. There, representatives from Belgian company DEME and federal and Flemish ministers of energy, Tinne Van der Straeten and Melissa Depraetere will join the dialogue.

Oman is seen as an ideal partner for green hydrogen production due to its climate, which ensures continuous solar and wind energy. The country, traditionally reliant on oil and gas, is now investing in renewable energy, with green hydrogen representing a key aspect of its economic diversification efforts.

Belgium, in turn, seeks to replace grey hydrogen, produced from natural gas, with green hydrogen to lower industrial CO₂ emissions. Additionally, its ports aim to become gateways for green hydrogen distribution across Europe.

Broader cooperation on space and defence

In addition to energy, the visit also addresses defence and space collaboration, reflecting Oman’s request to broaden cooperative partnerships. Discussions include securing vital shipping routes in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, which are frequently targeted by Houthi rebels, and exploring joint initiatives in space technology.

This marks the first state visit to Belgium by an Omani ruler. The country often acts as a neutral party between regional powers, including Iran and Saudi Arabia. Belgium previously benefitted from Oman’s diplomatic role in 2023, when the Sultanate mediated with Iran to secure the release of Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele after over a year of imprisonment.
​

_{Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and King Philippe of Belgium pictured during the official welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace, in Brussels for a state visit to Belgium from 3 to 4 December ​
​©BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}

Related news