UPDATE – Kuwaiti emir, French president discuss bilateral ties, regional developments as Macron starts Gulf tour

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, REVISES HEADLINE, DECK

By Sahin Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) - Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and French President Emmanuel Macron held official talks in Kuwait on Monday, discussing bilateral cooperation and regional and international developments as the French leader started a four-state Gulf tour.

According to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the two leaders reviewed longstanding relations between Kuwait and France and explored ways to strengthen and expand cooperation in economic, trade and investment sectors.

The talks also addressed ways to enhance their partnership to serve mutual interests, as well as regional and international developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East, with both sides exchanging views on these issues.

During the visit, the Kuwaiti emir awarded Macron the Order of Mubarak the Great in recognition of his contributions to strengthening relations between the two countries.

In return, Macron presented the Kuwaiti emir with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest national decoration, in recognition of his role in expanding bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

Macron arrived in Kuwait earlier Monday at the start of a four-nation Gulf tour that will also take him to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.

KUNA described the French president’s official visit as a significant milestone in relations between the two countries, marking 65 years of ties built on bilateral cooperation.

The French presidency earlier announced that Macron would visit Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar from Oct. 19 to 21, with discussions focusing on regional stability, freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and energy security.

The tour comes amid heightened regional tensions and disruptions to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a significant share of global oil supplies passes.

Kuwait and France established diplomatic relations in 1961, following Kuwait’s independence, and have since developed cooperation in defense, security, trade, investment and education.

The two countries have continued to coordinate on regional security issues, with France maintaining a military presence in the Gulf region and longstanding defense partnerships with several Gulf states.

Şahin Demir