French Deputy Amelia Lakrafi said that the relations between her country and the Gulf States were “historic” and based on a strategic partnership between Paris and the capitals of the region, in the political, economic, security and cultural fields.
She pointed to continuous consultation between France and the Gulf States on bilateral ties and regional issues, including Lebanon, the Arab-Israeli conflict and Iran.
Lakrafi, who is a member of French President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance bloc (formerly known as La République en marche), represents the 10th constituency of the French residents overseas. She is currently conducting a tour in the region, ahead of the French legislative elections on June 12 and 19.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the French deputy stressed that Macron attached great importance to the special relationship with the Gulf.
This attention was further highlighted during the president’s Arab tour in December, which included Jeddah, Dubai and Doha, she noted.
Touching on the ongoing Saudi-French cooperation on Lebanon’s crisis, Lakrafi said: “Thanks to our close cooperation, we have succeeded during the past months in launching a joint French-Saudi fund to support the Lebanese people and respond to their humanitarian needs.”
“This people is facing great suffering and an unprecedented crisis in the country,” she emphasized.
Lakrafi follows up on the affairs and interests of the French citizens living abroad, specifically in 49 countries, including the Gulf States. She is of Moroccan origin and a candidate for a second term in the same constituency. Her recent tour covered Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai and Doha.
According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, Lakrafi has a double mission, as she is meeting with members of the French community residing abroad to urge them to support the presidential project in the upcoming elections, and follows up on parliamentary diplomacy and the existing partnership between France and the Gulf.
“If I am re-elected in June, I will continue to work and assume the role of mediator, bearing the banner of parliamentary diplomacy… I will always be here to serve these interests that unite us,” she stated.
