French Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Claire Le Flecher praised the excellent relations with Kuwait in all fields and added that she was looking forward to further cementing and boosting these ties during her tenure in Kuwait.
In a cordial meeting with the media, French Ambassador Claire Le Fleischer confirmed that she was fortunate to meet His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al ahmed Al Sabah while presenting her credentials, explaining that the discussions with His Highness lasted 25 minutes, and the dialogue was comprehensive and purposeful on ways to support and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, noting that His Highness sent an invitation to President Emmanuel Macron to visit Kuwait.
She said: “During my last visit to Paris, I conveyed this desire to the French authorities, where it was warmly welcomed, but no date has been set for the visit so far.”
Giving her assessment of bilateral relations with Kuwait in various domains, Ambassador Le Flecher noted: “This year we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of our friendship with Kuwait. The close relations between our two countries have been manifested among others by the growth in economic cooperation, the establishment of several French educational institutions in Kuwait, increase in the tourism sector, and a significant French military presence in Kuwait.”
“So far we have had strategic dialogue between France and Kuwait, but it has not been at the ministerial level; however, this year we are planning to hold it at the ministerial level to further strengthen coordination,” said the ambassador.
Lauding the existing parliamentary cooperation between the two nations, the French envoy highlighted the strong ‘parliamentary tradition’ prevailing in Kuwait and said that her country aims to enhance this cooperation in the coming years. She also disclosed plans to strengthen joint investments in both the public and private sectors, and more coordination between business entities in both nations.
On the educational front, Ambassador Le Flecher pointed to efforts by relevant French educational authorities to encourage Kuwaiti students to study in France, and noted that programs provided in France were available in both French and English languages, which would help those who were not fluent French speakers to engage in studies. She also added that France was looking to enhance cooperation in the academic level with all Gulf states, and in this regard was planning to organize several scientific events in Kuwait with support from local entities.
Elaborating on the strong military cooperation and coordination existing between the two countries, the French ambassador noted that her country had been an integral and important partner in the UN Coalition, which was formed to drive out Iraqi forces and liberate Kuwait in 1991.
She indicated that military cooperation had resumed in 2021, following the break during the year-long COVID-19 pandemic, and that this week, the nineteenth Kuwait-French high defense committee was successfully formed in coordination with Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah.
