Kuwait and France deepen strategic ties during Amir’s landmark visit

The Times Kuwait Report

“The visit not only celebrated six decades of Kuwaiti-French friendship but also launched a new era of dynamic cooperation — anchored in shared values, strategic alignment, and a mutual vision for the future; cementing partnership with vision-aligned investment pact in defense, security, and education and cultural and healthcare collaborations to empower future generations as part of expanding soft diplomacy.”

In a significant milestone for Kuwaiti diplomacy, His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, recently concluded a successful official visit to France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The two-day visit, on July 13–14, 2025, coincided with France’s Bastille Day celebrations, where His Highness was a guest of honor at the military parade. The visit marked a reaffirmation of the historic and enduring ties between Kuwait and France — spanning over six decades — built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to international cooperation.

In a cable of thanks to President Macron, His Highness expressed heartfelt appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and the Kuwaiti delegation, praising the friendly and constructive atmosphere of the meetings and emphasized the visit’s value as a platform for open dialogue on regional and global matters.

The high-level talks at the Élysée Palace involved key figures including the foreign, defense, and finance ministers from both sides, as well as senior officials from the Kuwait Investment Authority. Both heads of state hailed the strategic nature of their partnership and expressed optimism about enhanced cooperation across a broad range of sectors.

As part of the visit, Kuwait and France signed a Strategic Investment Partnership that aligns Kuwait Vision 2035 with France 2030. The partnership targets priority sectors such as renewable energy, semiconductors, aerospace, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and digital technology. A joint action group will oversee cross-investment initiatives, and announcements are expected at the next ‘Choose France Summit’.

The leaders also emphasized mutual support for major investment institutions — including the Banque Publique d’Investissement and Kuwait’s sovereign wealth entities — to co-develop projects that generate growth and innovation. The two sides also underscored the importance of bolstering defense ties, including military training exchanges, interoperability through joint exercises, and embedded personnel initiatives. Kuwait reaffirmed its continued use of French defense equipment to modernize its military capabilities.

Security cooperation was also expanded, with the appointment of a French gendarmerie liaison officer to Kuwait’s National Guard and enhanced collaboration on counter-terrorism, intelligence-sharing, and international law enforcement. Education and human capital development featured prominently in the discussions. Kuwait plans to increase its state-sponsored scholarships to France to 250 annually, targeting fields such as medicine, AI, and engineering. A framework is being developed to improve recognition of French academic qualifications and vocational programs.

In healthcare, both nations pledged to deepen cooperation through partnerships with leading French institutions, including Institut Curie, Gustave Roussy, and Hôpital Rothschild. Kuwait’s doctors and medical teams will benefit from knowledge exchange and advanced training opportunities in France.

The Amir and the President also celebrated joint development goals, particularly through a partnership between the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). Upcoming projects will focus on health and water infrastructure in Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria.

Cultural diplomacy was a cornerstone of the visit. A declaration of intent was signed to enhance cooperation in arts, heritage, and language education. Both leaders welcomed initiatives to establish a joint cultural campus in Kuwait, promote French-language learning, and support the creation of a national orchestra.

Plans are underway to organize cultural events in both countries as part of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to intercultural dialogue and to the preservation of heritage, particularly in conflict zones.

In conclusion, His Highness extended a formal invitation to President Macron to visit Kuwait in 2026 for the anniversary celebrations. Both sides agreed to hold an intergovernmental seminar chaired by their prime ministers to implement the ambitious roadmap outlined during the visit. This landmark visit not only celebrated six decades of Kuwaiti-French friendship but also launched a new era of dynamic cooperation—anchored in shared values, strategic alignment, and a mutual vision for the future.