Bahrain Calls For Safeguarding Region From More Violence, Destruction

 Bahraini Crown Prince received on Monday Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal (Bahrain news agency)
Bahraini Crown Prince received on Monday Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal (Bahrain news agency)
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Bahrain Calls For Safeguarding Region From More Violence, Destruction

 Bahraini Crown Prince received on Monday Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal (Bahrain news agency)
Bahraini Crown Prince received on Monday Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal (Bahrain news agency)

Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa stressed Monday the importance of taking all necessary steps to avoid violence and destruction in the region, whilst affirming the Kingdom’s firm stance against all forms of terrorism and extremism.

He praised Bahrain’s cooperation with its international allies in safeguarding regional security and stability.

The Crown Prince spoke from the Gudaibiya Palace on Monday as he received Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal, the Shura Council Chairman, Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, and the Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sameer Abdulla Nass.

Al Khalifa affirmed the Kingdom’s dedicated efforts to enhance its security and preserve the nation’s prosperity and achievements across many fields, which have been accomplished through the solidarity and efforts of Bahraini people under the leadership of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

He underlined the importance of meeting the aspirations of Bahraini citizens, who remain at the core of the government’s development efforts. In this regard, and in line with the King’s Royal directives, the Crown Prince instructed the allocation of five thousand housing units to citizens across the entire Bahraini governorates.

He called attention to the importance of upholding the Kingdom’s values orientated around community and solidarity as well as the principles of coexistence and pluralism, which are representative of Bahraini society.

The Crown Prince listed the positive economic results achieved by the Kingdom as shown in the Bahrain Economic Quarterly report for the third quarter of 2019, stressing the importance of continuing to diversify the economy and introduce initiatives that stimulate economic growth within the framework of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.

He concluded by noting the success of the National Employment Program (NEP), which has benefitted over 9,000 job seekers since its launch in February 2019.



Kuwaiti Emir Begins Official Visit to France to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

The Emir of Kuwait departs the country, heading to Paris on an official visit (KUNA) 
The Emir of Kuwait departs the country, heading to Paris on an official visit (KUNA) 
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Kuwaiti Emir Begins Official Visit to France to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

The Emir of Kuwait departs the country, heading to Paris on an official visit (KUNA) 
The Emir of Kuwait departs the country, heading to Paris on an official visit (KUNA) 

The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, arrived in Paris on Sunday for his first official visit to France since assuming office last December. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes senior Kuwaiti government officials.

The visit comes at a particularly sensitive moment for the region, amid escalating tensions, the ongoing war in Gaza, and the fallout from military strikes between Iran and Israel.

In a statement issued by the Élysée Palace, the French presidency said the visit reflects a shared desire to deepen bilateral cooperation across diplomatic, defense, and economic spheres. The trip also coincides with Kuwait’s current presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

According to the statement, the Emir will meet President Emmanuel Macron for a working lunch on Monday. He will also attend France’s annual Bastille Day military parade on July 14.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya described the visit as a “strategic milestone” to strengthen partnership in light of rapidly evolving regional and global dynamics. He confirmed that the Emir’s agenda includes signing agreements and memorandums of understanding covering infrastructure, education, defense, and culture.

Historical Relations

Diplomatic ties between Kuwait and France date back to 1961, when Paris formally recognized Kuwaiti independence. In 1967, the two countries exchanged ambassadors. Over the decades, the relationship has seen several high-profile visits, including Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al Sabah’s trip to Paris in 1989 and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah’s meeting with President Jacques Chirac in 2006.

Ministerial engagements have also continued, with former Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid attending the Middle East Peace Conference in 2017. More recently, French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited Kuwait in April to sign new bilateral agreements.

Economic and Defense Partnership

France is one of Kuwait’s leading economic partners. French companies account for nearly 50% of European investments in the country and employ over 2,100 people in sectors such as energy, transportation, healthcare, and consumer goods.

On defense, Kuwait and France maintain a military cooperation agreement first signed in August 1992 and renewed in 2009, which provides for mutual assistance if Kuwait faces external aggression. France’s participation in the 1991 coalition to liberate Kuwait cemented its standing as a key military ally.

Last month, Kuwait’s embassy in Paris took part in the “Gulf Vision 2025” conference hosted under Macron’s patronage to forge broader economic partnerships between France and the GCC states.