French President Emmanuel Macron began a state visit to Doha on Tuesday, the final stop of his Gulf tour following visits to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. The tour focused on regional security, energy supplies, and strengthening economic and defense partnerships.
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received Macron at Lusail Palace on Tuesday, where an official reception ceremony was held to mark the first state visit by a French president to the country.
The leaders then held a bilateral meeting to review friendly relations and cooperation between both nations, as well as developments in the region.
They reviewed bilateral cooperation relations and the strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as ways to boost and develop them at various levels, particularly in the economic, investment, security, and defense sectors.
Sheikh Tamim expressed his deep pleasure with this historic visit and the profound depth of bilateral ties it reflects, looking forward to strengthening the solid strategic partnership and cooperation in various fields. For his part, Macron stressed his country's keenness to develop cooperative relations and push them toward broader horizons that meet the aspirations of both nations and their peoples.
Macron's Gulf tour came amid escalating regional tensions and threats facing maritime navigation and energy supplies, while Paris is seeking to enhance coordination with its Gulf partners in security of the Strait of Hormuz and the stability of energy markets.
Qatar's Ambassador to France Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani said the visit was an opportunity to expand cooperation in the fields of defense, security, energy, investment, technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, as well as to strengthen political coordination on regional and international crises.
Boosting Bahraini-French cooperation
In Manama, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Macron discussed developments in the Middle East during official talks on Tuesday. They reviewed bolstering strategic cooperation between their countries, particularly in the fields of defense, security, economy, energy, and technology.
Macron underlined France's commitment to helping Bahrain protect its security and its readiness to provide support again in the event that it faces attacks, hoping to expand defense cooperation to include missile production and Manama's participation in manufacturing processes, alongside developing naval cooperation and drone systems.
King Hamad condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, stressing Manama's full solidarity with Riyadh and its support for measures to protect its security and sovereignty.
He underscored the importance of coordination with France in the UN Security Council regarding regional issues, including the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution.
Macron's visit to Manama witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, aimed at developing the capabilities and skills necessary for a Bahraini civilian nuclear program through training and qualification programs.
King Hamad awarded Macron the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, First Class, in appreciation of his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
Emirati-French defense partnership
In Abu Dhabi, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Macron witnessed on Tuesday the exchange of the strategic defense partnership framework between the two countries, as well as the executive arrangements regarding defense industries.
On Monday, the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen strategic relations between their countries and expand areas of economic and investment cooperation.
They underlined their commitment to further boosting cooperation in vital sectors and accelerating progress in executing joint projects, particularly in the fields of energy, advanced technologies, and artificial intelligence, which are major pillars in the strategic partnership between their nations.
On the regional level, the two presidents reviewed international issues and developments, foremost of which were the latest updates in the Middle East and efforts aimed at containing their repercussions, especially regarding the security of maritime corridors and the stability of energy supplies to global markets.
They stressed the importance of continued coordination and cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Paris to support regional security and stability, and to work toward bolstering opportunities for peace in a way that serves the interests of the region's countries and peoples.
Macron secured the delivery of an additional 200,000 tons of diesel per month from the UAE and Bahrain during his Gulf tour, the French presidency said on Tuesday.
He obtained commitments for around 100,000 tons per month from the Emirates, while an additional 100,000 tons monthly will be secured during the stop in Bahrain, the Elysee Palace said.
With the addition of deliveries from Saudi Arabia, France has commitments for 295,000 tons per month, representing just over 10 percent of its consumption, the presidency added.
Kuwait has also given "very clear commitments" to deliver diesel and kerosene to the French overseas territories of Mayotte and Reunion in the Indian Ocean, the French presidency said.
