Macron concludes his Gulf tour by strengthening defense and economic partnerships

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French President Emmanuel Macron concluded a Gulf tour that included Kuwait, the Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, and focused on strengthening strategic partnerships and expanding cooperation in the defence, security, economic and investment fields, in addition to discussing regional and international developments, in light of the security and political challenges the region is witnessing.

The tour witnessed discussions with leaders of the Gulf countries that dealt with ways to develop bilateral relations, enhance common interests, and expand areas of cooperation in vital sectors, including defense industries, energy, transportation, health, scientific research, and artificial intelligence.

In Kuwait, the two countries signed 8 agreements to enhance cooperation in the fields of defence, civil aviation, artificial intelligence, investment, health and scientific research, during Macron's visit to the country.

The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, held an official session of discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, which dealt with bilateral relations and ways to develop them, and expand cooperation in the economic, trade and investment sectors. The two sides also discussed regional and international developments, especially the latest developments in the situation in the region, and exchanged views on them, stressing the importance of developing the partnership to serve common interests.

This morning, the official talks session between the State of Kuwait and the friendly French Republic was held at Bayan Palace, during which His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect and preserve him, chaired the Kuwaiti side, while His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the friendly French Republic, chaired the French side, in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, may God protect him, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister, and a number One of the senior officials of both countries. During the discussion session, the process of established bilateral relations that bring together the two friendly countries and peoples was reviewed, and work was done to support and strengthen them in various fields, and to expand the frameworks of cooperation between the State of Kuwait and the friendly French Republic towards broader horizons, especially in the economic, trade and investment fields, and ways to enhance the partnership between them were discussed in a way that serves their common interests. The latest developments on the regional and international arenas were also discussed, especially with regard to developments in the situation in the region, and views were exchanged on them.

In the UAE, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Macron witnessed the exchange of the framework for the strategic defense partnership between the two countries, in addition to the executive arrangements related to defense industries.

The framework of the partnership was exchanged by the UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei, and the French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautran, while the executive arrangements regarding defense industries were exchanged by the Secretary General of the Tawazun Council for Defense Empowerment, Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, and the Head of the General Directorate of Armaments in France, Patrick Belloux.

These steps reflect the two countries' orientation towards enhancing defense cooperation and developing partnership in military industries, as part of efforts to expand areas of bilateral cooperation.

In Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Macron discussed strengthening the strategic partnership and developments in the situation in the Middle East, with a focus on defence, security and economic cooperation.

The French President affirmed his country's commitment to supporting Bahrain in protecting its security, announcing the move towards expanding defense cooperation to include the production of missiles and Bahrain's participation in their manufacturing, in addition to cooperation in the maritime, drones and space fields.

Economically, Macron announced Bahrain's contribution to securing 100,000 tons of diesel per month for France. The visit also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, with the aim of developing the necessary competencies for a Bahraini civil nuclear program. The discussions also touched on cooperation in the energy, industry and transportation sectors, including the railway project linking Bahrain to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

At the regional level, the King of Bahrain condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, stressing his country’s full solidarity with the Kingdom and supporting its measures to protect its security and sovereignty. The two sides also stressed the importance of coordination on regional and international issues, and King Hamad awarded the French President the Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Medal of Excellence, in appreciation of his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.

In Qatar, the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Macron held an official discussion session at Lusail Palace, during which they reviewed the strategic cooperation and partnership relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen and develop them in various fields, especially economic, investment, security and defense.

Fruitful discussions brought me together in Doha with my friend, President Emmanuel Macron, during his state visit to Qatar, in which we discussed ways to strengthen our strategic partnership and expand areas of cooperation between our two countries, in addition to exchanging visions on the most prominent regional and international issues. We are proud of the development our relations have achieved, and the keenness that unites us to establish security and stability and serve the mutual interests of our two peoples.

The two sides also held a bilateral meeting during which they discussed friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries, in addition to developments in the region. The results of the tour highlight France’s interest in strengthening its strategic presence in the Gulf by expanding defense and industrial cooperation, diversifying economic and investment partnerships, and developing cooperation in the energy, technology and transportation sectors. The discussions also reflected the keenness of the French and Gulf sides to continue coordination on regional issues, in light of the security and political challenges facing the region.