News report: French President's visit to Kuwait marks a significant milestone crowning 65 years of bilateral relations

KUNA – The official visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to the country today, Monday, holds great significance as it crowns a 65-year journey of bilateral relations built on mutual respect and cooperation on issues of common interest. During his visit, the French President is holding talks with His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect and support him, focusing on enhancing Kuwaiti-French relations across all fields and discussing various regional and global issues.

Over the past seven decades, these relations have seen steady development in many areas, particularly political, economic, military, and educational, as well as joint cooperation in culture, health, and scientific research. France’s recognition of Kuwait’s independence dates back to August 28, 1961, when Paris decided to appoint its ambassador in Beirut as its ambassador to Kuwait, and also established a permanent commercial representation in the country. Diplomatic relations between the two friendly nations were formally established in 1967.

Kuwait greatly appreciates France’s support for Kuwait’s rights during the brutal Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. On August 26 of that year, the late French President François Mitterrand declared that “Kuwait’s sovereignty is non-negotiable” and decided to deploy approximately 18,000 French soldiers to participate in the country’s liberation.

In recent years, bilateral relations have witnessed mutual visits by the leaders of both countries and senior officials, aimed at strengthening and consolidating these ties and coordinating cooperation on matters of shared interest. On July 13, 2025, His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, may God protect and support him, visited the French Republic and held talks with the French President focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation in economic, diplomatic, and military fields, and coordinating efforts regarding regional crises. The visit saw the signing of a statement of intent on the French-Kuwaiti strategic partnership for investment covering the period 2025–2035, as well as a statement of intent to enhance cultural cooperation and commemorate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2026.

Last September 23, the French Institute in Kuwait launched its cultural season for the second half of 2026, in parallel with the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The initiative aims to open broader horizons for cooperation between French and Kuwaiti artists, intellectuals, and institutions, thereby enhancing the cultural presence of both nations.

The two friendly countries hold alternating meetings in their respective capitals through rounds of strategic dialogue, accompanied by discussion sessions to review aspects of their strategic friendship and examine future action plans to enhance these relations. The strategic dialogue is a mechanism established to achieve new horizons between the two countries, during which plans are formulated to achieve desired goals, monitor their implementation, and intensify joint coordination on regional and international issues to lay the foundations for international security and peace.

France is among the most important global investors in Kuwait, particularly in the energy, infrastructure, and cosmetics sectors. French companies account for approximately 50 percent of European companies operating in Kuwait. Economic cooperation between the two countries has been crowned by agreements in several fields, notably a tax cooperation agreement, the first of which was signed in 1973, and an agreement on the encouragement and protection of investments between the two governments in 1989. Additionally, in June 2017, Kuwait signed an agreement to implement measures related to tax treaties to prevent base erosion and profit shifting.

The two countries also established the Kuwaiti-French Committee for Friendship to foster bilateral cooperation and find optimal solutions to challenges in order to achieve economic development and strengthen their relations, particularly in the educational, cultural, and social spheres. Militarily, Kuwait regards France as a strategic ally, especially following France’s effective participation in the international coalition that liberated Kuwait in 1991 and the subsequent defense cooperation agreements between the two countries. In August 1992, the two countries signed a defense agreement that outlined the framework for cooperation in the event of an external attack on Kuwait, including joint military exercises and maneuvers, exchange of expertise, and training and qualification of military personnel. In December 2006, the two countries signed another military cooperation agreement, while the Kuwait National Guard and the French Gendarmerie signed a memorandum of understanding on July 24, 2025, for coordination, joint cooperation, and training in military and security fields. Additionally, in February 2025, Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi signed a memorandum of understanding with France’s Gustave Roussy Hospital, specializing in cancer treatment, to develop healthcare services in the country. In 2021, a delegation from France’s University of Nice visited Kuwait to explore ways to enhance cooperation and exchange expertise to improve the level of medical services. In the scientific and cultural fields, the two countries signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding to increase the number of Kuwaiti students in France, promote participation in cultural activities, and facilitate the exchange of expertise.