{"id":82223,"date":"2021-10-02T16:55:46","date_gmt":"2021-10-02T13:55:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/192.163.207.100\/~timesku1\/news\/?p=82223"},"modified":"2021-10-02T17:15:10","modified_gmt":"2021-10-02T14:15:10","slug":"regional-tensions-have-decreased","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timeskuwait.com\/news\/regional-tensions-have-decreased\/","title":{"rendered":"Regional tensions have decreased"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kuwait and France to hold joint military exercises in 2022<\/h3>\n
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By Reaven D\u2019Souza<\/strong>
\nManaging Editor<\/h4>\n
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The level of tension in the region has considerably decreased over the last two years, visiting French Rear-Admiral Jacques Fayard, Commander of the French Joint Forces in the Indian Ocean told The Times Kuwait in an exclusive interview recently.<\/p>\n

Rear-Admiral Fayard, a multi-talented officer of the French navy, who is responsible for French military operations in 14 countries from Jordan to Bangladesh, said that a lot of credit for the de-escalation could be attributed to joint forces of European countries who are now also involved in patrolling in the region and engaging with all parties at all levels, including through diplomatic channels.<\/p>\n

He added that \u201cThere had been no provocation in the area and I have seen the threat perception considerably lowered,\u201d noting that the region however still remained volatile. He pointed out that if all the concerned parties cooperated with the Joint Comprehensive Plan for Action (JCPOA) to reach the nuclear agreement then there would also be a decrease of tensions globally.<\/p>\n

During his first visit to Kuwait, the French Rear-Admiral met with the Kuwait Army Chief Gen Khaled Al Sabah and discussed joint military issues. \u201cAs you know we have a strategic partnership with Kuwait since 1992, which was reinforced again in 2012.\u201d He pointed out that within this framework several levels of exchanges take place, including training of more than 300 Kuwaiti cadets in French military academies.<\/p>\n

He also revealed that there was a lot of French military equipment used by the Kuwaiti side that included among other things helicopters, naval ships and armored vehicles.
\n\u201cKuwait and France will hold their largest joint operation exercises titled \u2018Pearl of the West\u2019, towards the end of 2022,\u201d said the French officer. He added that the operations will include field training exercises, as well as the airforce with fighter aircraft, and on sea with one of the French frigates. These tactical level exercises will be comprehensive and comprise of all three elements that include air, land and sea.<\/p>\n\r\n