Kuwait and France Sign 8 Agreements and Letters of Intent to Enhance Joint Cooperation

Kuwait and France signed eight agreements, memoranda of understanding, and letters of intent today, Monday, to enhance bilateral cooperation in several key areas, including defense, civil aviation, artificial intelligence, direct investment, commercial aviation, scientific research, academic cooperation, and the health sector.

The signing ceremony took place at Bayan Palace, attended by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; French President Emmanuel Macron; His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah; and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister.

The agreements included a letter of intent for defense cooperation between the defense ministries of the two countries, signed on the Kuwaiti side by Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Salim Al-Sabah, and on the French side by Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin.

The two sides also signed a letter of intent for cooperation in civil aviation, signed by Kuwait’s Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Salim Al-Sabah and by France’s Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot.

In the field of technology, an exploratory cooperation declaration was signed regarding data and artificial intelligence between the State Minister for Communications and Information Technology and the French company Bertin. The Kuwaiti side was represented by State Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Acting Minister of Media and Culture, Omar Saud Al-Omar, while the company was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Charles Henry Bou.

To support knowledge-based cooperation, Foreign Minister Sheikh Jara Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, signed a letter of intent to enhance academic, scientific, and technical cooperation between the two countries.

On the investment front, the Direct Investment Promotion Authority signed a letter of intent with the French government to enhance cooperation in promoting direct investment. The Kuwaiti side was represented by the Authority’s Managing Director, Sheikh Dr. Meshal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, while the French side was represented by Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot.

Additionally, the Public Authority for Investment signed a letter of intent with Airbus on strategic cooperation in the aviation sector. The Kuwaiti side was represented by the Authority’s Managing Director, Sheikh Saud Salem Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, while the company was represented by Benoit de Saint Exupery, Vice President of Sales for Commercial Aircraft.

The agreements also included a joint letter of intent between the Public Authority for Investment, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, and the Gustave Roussy Institute. The Kuwaiti side was represented by the Authority’s Managing Director, Sheikh Saud Salem Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, and the Ministry of Health’s Undersecretary, Sheikh Dr. Salman Khalifa Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, while the institute was represented by its President, Fabrice Barlesi.

In support of scientific research and technological advancement, the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for Africa and the Middle East. The foundation was represented by its Managing Director, Dr. Amina Farhan, while Airbus was represented by Gabriel Semelas, Managing Director for Africa and the Middle East and Head of the Region.

These agreements reflect the diversity of cooperation areas between Kuwait and France, with a focus on developing defense, technological, investment, and scientific partnerships, thereby enabling the expansion of joint efforts among government institutions, companies, and research entities in both countries.