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Emir of Qatar to Embark on State Visit to France to Discuss Gaza, Lebanon

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in 2019. (Qatar’s Amiri Diwan)
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in 2019. (Qatar’s Amiri Diwan)
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Emir of Qatar to Embark on State Visit to France to Discuss Gaza, Lebanon

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in 2019. (Qatar’s Amiri Diwan)
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in 2019. (Qatar’s Amiri Diwan)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will kick off on Tuesday a two-day state visit to France where he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a statement on Monday, the Elysee palace said the visit will be an opportunity to deepen bilateral relations in defense, security, investment and the economy.

They will also seek to bolster cultural relations and deepen cooperation in development.

Sheikh Tamim is traveling to France at the head of a large ministerial and economic delegation.

The statement also hailed the consultations between France and Qatar over regional and international affairs.

This will be Sheikh Tamim’s first state visit to France since he ascended the throne in 2013.

Sources at the Elysee said the developments in Gaza and the political deadlock in Lebanon will be one of the main focuses of the talks between Qatari and French officials.

The sources added that Paris recognizes Doha’s role in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, releasing hostages held by Hamas and the “Islamic Jihad” and reaching a ceasefire in the conflict.

French sources said Paris is therefore keen on bolstering its relations with Qatar.

In addition, the crisis in Lebanon will also feature during Sheikh Tamim’s visit as Qatar and France are members of the Quintet on Lebanon that also includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United States.

The committee is helping Lebanon end the deadlock over the election of a new president, which is growing more pressing as tensions mount between Hezbollah and Israel along the southern border.

Observers in Paris have said France will urge Doha to continue to provide financial support to the Lebanese army, whose commander has visited Doha on a number of occasions and is understood to have good ties with its authorities.

France believes the army is a major player who can de-escalate the tensions and avert a full-scale war between Hezbollah and Israel.

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Gulf

GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
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GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA

Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers and their counterparts from Central Asia discussed in Kuwait on Wednesday consolidating cooperation in several fields.

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue focused on enhancing the strong relations between the GCC and Central Asian countries and discussed a joint action plan to advance cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, and tourism sectors.
Preparations were also reviewed for the upcoming summit between the GCC and Central Asian countries, scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, next month. This summit follows the inaugural one held in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attended the meeting.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya said the meeting marks a significant milestone in establishing a sustainable partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests.

Speaking at a joint press conference with GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi after the meeting, Al-Yahya, current President of the GCC Ministerial Council, highlighted the growing historical, cultural, and human ties between the two regions, and emphasized the shared political will to strengthen strategic cooperation.

The meeting focused on several key areas of priority, including enhancing economic and trade cooperation, encouraging investment, and developing sectors such as transport and energy, clean energy transitions, green economies, and modern technologies, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

Discussions also focused on food and water security, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence, aiming to support stability and sustainable development.

On political and security matters, the foreign minister stressed the importance of consultation and coordination on shared challenges, especially in combating terrorism, extremism, and cyber threats, and praised the GCC Secretariat for its role in advancing joint action mechanisms.

Regarding regional and international issues, Al-Yahya reaffirmed the GCC's steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On his part, Al-Budaiwi said that both the GCC and Central Asian states are committed to advancing cooperation across various sectors, as outlined in the Joint Action Plan for 2023-27.

He stated that the meeting included an exchange of views on regional and global developments, particularly the Israeli occupation's violations against the Palestinian people, and reiterated the GCC's rejection of these violations and called on the international community to act decisively in support of Palestinian rights, including the establishment of a sovereign state.