Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has issued two Royal Decrees that redefine the structure and functioning of the Foreign Ministry and the Diplomatic and Consular Corps. The decrees, numbered 21/2025 and 22/2025, establish new guidelines and cancel previous regulations that contradict the newly issued laws.

According to Oman News Agency, Royal Decree No. 21/2025 focuses on the specializations of the Foreign Ministry. It designates the ministry as the primary authority on all foreign relations and international cooperation matters. The decree includes an annex that details the specific roles and responsibilities of the ministry. Furthermore, it nullifies any existing regulations that conflict with its provisions and mandates its publication in the Official Gazette, making it effective immediately.

The second decree, Royal Decree No. 22/2025, introduces the Diplomatic and Consular Corps Law. It ensures that current members of the diplomatic and consular corps will maintain their existing grades, financial benefits, and job positions. The decree also mandates that the Foreign Minister will develop and issue the necessary regulations and decisions to implement the new law, subject to the approval of relevant authorities. Existing regulations will continue until the new regulations are in effect, provided they do not conflict with the new law.

Additionally, this decree repeals the previous Law Regulating the Foreign Ministry, which was established under Royal Decree No. 32/2008, alongside any regulations that contradict the new law. The decree will be published in the Official Gazette and will take effect the day after publication.