French President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to Kuwait today marks a significant milestone in 65 years of bilateral relations based on mutual respect and cooperation on issues of common interest. During the visit, Macron will hold talks with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on strengthening bilateral ties across various fields and discussing regional and international developments.
Over the decades, relations between the two countries have steadily expanded, particularly in political, economic, military and educational fields, as well as culture, healthcare and scientific research. France recognized Kuwait’s independence on August 28, 1961, when Paris appointed its ambassador to Beirut as ambassador to Kuwait and established a permanent trade representation in the country. Diplomatic relations were formally established in 1967.
Kuwait highly appreciates France’s support during the Iraqi invasion in August 1990. On August 26, then French President Francois Mitterrand declared that “Kuwait’s sovereignty is nonnegotiable” and decided to deploy around 18,000 French troops to help liberate the country.
Over the years, reciprocal visits by the two countries’ leaders and senior officials have strengthened bilateral ties and advanced coordination on issues of mutual interest. On July 13, 2025, His Highness the Amir visited France and held talks with Macron on expanding economic, diplomatic and military cooperation and coordinating efforts to address regional crises.
The visit witnessed the signing of a declaration of intent on the Kuwait-France Strategic Investment Partnership for 2025-2035, alongside another declaration aimed at strengthening cultural cooperation and marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026. On September 23, the French Institute in Kuwait launched its cultural season for the second half of 2026, marking the anniversary and seeking to broaden cooperation among French and Kuwaiti artists, intellectuals and institutions.
The two countries also hold alternating strategic dialogue sessions in their respective capitals to review bilateral relations, discuss future action plans and strengthen cooperation. The strategic dialogue serves as a mechanism for identifying new opportunities, setting and implementing shared objectives, and enhancing coordination on regional and international issues to support global security and peace.
France is among Kuwait’s key international investors, particularly in energy, infrastructure and cosmetics. French companies account for around 50 percent of European companies operating in Kuwait. Economic cooperation is underpinned by several agreements, including an initial tax cooperation agreement signed in 1973 and an investment promotion and protection agreement concluded in 1989. In June 2017, Kuwait signed an agreement implementing tax treaty measures to prevent base erosion and profit shifting.
The two countries also established the Kuwait-France Friendship Committee to strengthen bilateral cooperation, address development challenges and advance economic, educational, cultural and social ties.
Militarily, Kuwait regards France as a strategic ally, particularly following its active participation in the international coalition that liberated Kuwait in 1991 and subsequent bilateral defense agreements. In August 1992, the two countries signed a defense agreement outlining cooperation in the event of external aggression against Kuwait. It covered joint military exercises, maneuvers, expertise exchange and personnel training.
Another military cooperation agreement was signed in December 2006. On July 24, 2025, the Kuwait National Guard and France’s Gendarmerie signed a memorandum of understanding on coordination, cooperation and military and security training.
In February 2025, Health Minister Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi signed a memorandum of understanding with France’s Gustave Roussy cancer center to develop healthcare services in Kuwait. A delegation from the University of Nice visited Kuwait in 2021 to explore medical cooperation and expertise exchange.
In science and culture, the two countries have signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding to increase the number of Kuwaiti students in France, promote cultural activities and facilitate expertise exchange.
Source: KUNA