French President's Visit to Kuwait: A Key Milestone Capping 65 Years of Bilateral Relations

The official trade conducted by French President Emmanuel Macron until Monday today culminates in AI 65 and 65 of bilateral relations based on a partnership in liberal fields of work. During his conversation with His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect and guard him, the French president discussed Kuwaiti-French relations in various fields and examined a number of incorrect and global specialties. These relations have witnessed seven decades, advancing in many fields, especially economic, military, and educational, as well as cooperation in medical, scientific, and cultural fields.

French officials trace their independence from the State of Kuwait to August 28, 1961, when Paris decided to appoint its ambassador in Beirut as its ambassador to Kuwait and established a commercial representation in the country. In 1967, the relations between the two countries were inaugurated. Kuwait greatly appreciates France's support for Kuwaiti rights following the brutal Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, when the late French President François Mitterrand declared on August 26 of that year that "Kuwait's sovereignty is non-negotiable" and decided to deploy approximately 18,000 French soldiers to participate in the liberation efforts worldwide.

Over the years, bilateral relations have witnessed many mutual visits by leaders, including a full delegation aimed at enhancing and consolidating these relations and coordinating cooperation on matters of interest. On July 13, 2025, His Highness the Amir of Kuwait visited the French Republic and held talks with the French President, which were deemed successful in enhancing bilateral cooperation in economic, diplomatic, and military fields, and coordinating sufficient quantities effectively. The visit also saw the signing of a transparent statement of intent highlighting the French-Kuwaiti investment strategy for the period 2025-2035, and the signing of a statement of intent for cultural cooperation, celebrating the 65th anniversary of relations between the two countries.

Last September 23, the French Institute in Kuwait launched its cultural season for the second half of 2026, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of international relations between the two countries. It aims to open a broader scope for interaction between French and Kuwaiti artists and intellectuals, including enhancing the cultural presence of both countries.

The two friendly nations, affected by the disease, alternate between their capitals and communicate through dynamic dialogue, featuring discussion sessions to review relations and strategic friendship, and continuous efforts to achieve the future of these relations. Specialized dialogue emphasizes that mechanisms have been established to achieve new horizons for all, setting dynamics to reach desired goals and intensifying further differences to elevate the foundations of defenders and distinguished peace.

For this reason, France has become one of the most important global investors in Kuwait, particularly in energy and infrastructure sectors, accounting for a significant percentage of French companies in Kuwait, and about 50 percent of European companies operating there. There is cooperation between us through agreements in several sectors, especially cooperation, including the first one in 1973 and encouraging investment protection between the two governments in 1989, regarding Kuwait in June 2017, thanks to preventive measures related to the anti-corruption agreement.

The (Kuwaiti-French Friendship Committee) includes prominent representatives who create the best solutions to challenges for achieving economic development and relations, especially cultural and social ones. On the military level, Kuwait...

France is regarded as a key ally, particularly due to France’s prominent participation in the international coalition that liberated Kuwait in 1991 and the subsequent defensive cooperation among participating forces. In August 1992, exemplary defensive exercises were organized to structure cooperation frameworks in the event of an external attack on Kuwait, involving military procedures and maneuvers between participating forces, as well as training and the development of military skills.

In December 2006, a diverse range of initiatives were undertaken. On July 24, 2025, the Kuwaiti national team and the French Gendarmerie signed a memorandum of understanding for coordination and military cooperation, aiming to enhance leadership capabilities in various fields. Additionally, in February 2025, Health Minister Ahmed Al-Awadi signed a memorandum of understanding with France’s Gustave Roussy Hospital, which specializes in alternative and non-traditional medical treatments. This followed a 2021 visit by a delegation from the University of Nice to Kuwait to explore avenues for collaborative cooperation and expertise sharing to elevate medical services.

In the scientific and cultural fields, several agreements and memoranda of understanding have been signed, with Kuwaiti students in France participating in cultural partnership initiatives and expertise exchange programs.