French President Emmanuel Macron began a four-nation Gulf tour on Monday, starting in Kuwait, in a diplomatic effort to secure France's energy supplies, advance efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and strengthen economic and defense partnerships with Gulf countries.
The visit comes as France faces mounting domestic pressure over rising fuel prices and the cost of living.
Macron arrived in Kuwait on an official visit, where he was received by Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and senior officials.
His tour, which runs through Wednesday, October 21, will also take him to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.
According to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Sheikh Meshal and Macron held talks attended by officials from both countries, reviewing the development of bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them across various sectors.
Discussions focused on expanding cooperation between Kuwait and France, particularly in the economic, trade and investment sectors, and enhancing their partnership in ways that serve their mutual interests.
The two leaders also discussed the latest regional and international developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East, and exchanged views on these issues.
Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Kuwait's Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs, said the talks reflected the continued communication and consultation between the leaders of the two friendly countries, their close relations and their shared commitment to strengthening coordination in line with the aspirations of their peoples.
He added that the discussions covered current regional and international developments and key issues of mutual concern.
Seeking a Solution to Domestic Unrest
Macron's visit carries particular significance because of its direct connection to the economic and social crisis facing France.
French cities witnessed protests against the rising cost of living on Saturday, some of which were accompanied by violence and vandalism. The unrest prompted Macron to deliver a televised address to the French public on Sunday evening, just hours before his departure for the Gulf.
In his speech, the French president linked rising living costs and fuel prices to the repercussions of the conflict in the Gulf region, stressing that France had not participated in the war but was bearing some of its economic consequences.
Macron said he had undertaken international initiatives to secure France's fuel and gas supplies and influence energy markets, announcing that he would continue these efforts during his Gulf tour to meet his country's needs.
He also noted that the French government had introduced measures in cooperation with fuel distributors to ensure that its efforts were reflected in the prices consumers pay, seeking to address concerns over French households' purchasing power.
These remarks align with the objectives announced by the Élysée Palace for the tour, foremost among them working with regional leaders to restore stability and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The visit also aims to secure and diversify energy sources and transportation routes, limiting the crisis's impact on the daily lives of French citizens.
The agenda extends beyond energy to include regional security, defense cooperation, economic partnerships and mutual investment.
Macron's discussions in the UAE are expected to cover defense, security and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, while his visit to Qatar is scheduled to include participation in a climate-related event.
The timing of the tour reflects the increasingly intertwined domestic and foreign policy considerations facing France.
While Paris seeks to support diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East, it also hopes to achieve tangible results on energy, which has become one of the country's most pressing sources of economic and social strain.
Kuwait and France: A Strategic Partnership
Kuwait is France's third-largest trading partner among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and the two nations maintain close, wide-ranging relations.
These ties were strengthened by the Kuwaiti emir's visit to France in July 2025 at the official invitation of President Macron, coinciding with France's Bastille Day celebrations on July 14.
The visit resulted in the signing of two declarations of intent.
The first concerned a strategic investment partnership between France and Kuwait for the period 2025-2035, while the second focused on strengthening cultural cooperation and celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2026.
Kuwait and France hold alternating rounds of strategic dialogue in their respective capitals, bringing officials together to review their strategic friendship and discuss future plans for strengthening relations.
The dialogue also seeks to intensify coordination on regional and international issues and contribute to international peace and security.
France is among the leading foreign investors in Kuwait, particularly in the energy, infrastructure and cosmetics sectors. French companies account for approximately 50 percent of European businesses operating in the country.
Economic cooperation between the two countries has been reinforced by agreements in several fields, particularly taxation.
Their first tax cooperation agreement was signed in 1973, followed by an agreement between the two governments on the promotion and protection of investments in 1989.
In June 2017, Kuwait also signed an agreement to implement tax treaty-related measures aimed at preventing base erosion and profit shifting.
The two countries have additionally established the Kuwait-France Friendship Committee to strengthen bilateral cooperation and identify effective solutions to challenges affecting economic development and bilateral relations, particularly in education, culture and social affairs.
On the military front, Kuwait considers France a strategic ally, especially following its active participation in the international coalition that liberated Kuwait in 1991 and the defense cooperation agreements subsequently concluded between the two countries.
In August 1992, Kuwait and France signed a defense agreement establishing a framework for cooperation in the event of external aggression against Kuwait.
The agreement included provisions for joint military exercises and maneuvers, exchanges of expertise, and the training and development of military personnel.
The two countries signed another military cooperation agreement in December 2006.
More recently, on July 24, 2025, the Kuwait National Guard and the French National Gendarmerie signed a memorandum of understanding covering coordination, joint cooperation and training in military and security fields.
