Qatar and France condemn Houthi attacks on civilian targets and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia

Doha, October 22 (KUNA) — Qatar and France today condemned the Houthi group’s attacks on civilian targets and energy facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as its actions threatening maritime navigation security in the Bab al-Mandab strait, emphasizing the necessity of halting these attacks and ensuring the security of international waterways and freedom of navigation therein.

This came in a joint Qatar-France statement regarding the convening of the Fourth Qatar-France Strategic Dialogue in Doha, held on the sidelines of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Qatar on October 20–21. The dialogue was co-chaired by Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot.

The statement noted that both sides stressed the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, and coordination of international efforts to advance de-escalation and preserve regional stability.

For his part, Barrot praised Qatar’s leading role in international mediation and its continuous efforts to enhance dialogue, reduce tensions, and promote diplomatic solutions in the Gulf, the Middle East, Africa, and other regions of the world.

The two sides reviewed areas of cooperation between Qatar and France since the Third Qatar-France Strategic Dialogue in June 2025, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding the strategic partnership in areas of shared priority. The two ministers welcomed the positive progress achieved through continuous high-level cooperation, including in regional security and defense, military cooperation, security cooperation, counter-terrorism, trade, investment, innovation, education, higher education, culture, arts, humanitarian aid, and development.

Qatar and France reiterated their strategic partnership and commitment to addressing common regional and international challenges, exchanging views on the latest regional and international developments, including Gulf security, the ongoing crisis with Iran, and measures to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as peace efforts in the Middle East and Africa, and developments in Syria and Lebanon.

On the economic front, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic, trade, and investment relations, noting that bilateral trade volume exceeded 1.52 billion euros (approximately 1.7 billion dollars) in 2025. They also emphasized the importance of their longstanding and robust partnership in defense and security, welcoming intensified high-level meetings and close coordination on regional security challenges.

The statement noted that the French side reaffirmed the commitment of the French Republic, as a reliable strategic and defense partner, to support the security and stability of Qatar.

Separately, Qatar and France welcomed the enhancement of their partnership in civilian protection, including disaster response, forest fire management, combating document forgery, maritime security, and vocational training. Both sides also highlighted their joint efforts to support Syrian civil defense.

They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening humanitarian and development cooperation through joint initiatives supporting affected populations during crises, particularly in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Africa.

Regarding cultural matters, both sides stressed their shared commitment to protecting and restoring cultural heritage, especially in conflict-affected areas in Syria and Lebanon, in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH), and other partners.

The statement noted that Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Barro expressed their anticipation to review the progress made in these areas during the Fifth Strategic Dialogue, scheduled to be held in Paris next year. (End) S S S / A B K