KUWAIT: During an interview with Kuwait Times, the Ambassador of France to Kuwait Olivier Gauvin reflects on the recent historic visit of His Highness the Amir to Paris for Bastille Day, a milestone in Kuwaiti French relations. The Ambassador offers insight into the growing partnership between the two countries and their shared vision for regional stability and cultural exchange.

Kuwait Times: His Highness the Amir’s visit to Paris on the occasion of 14 July marked a significant moment in the diplomatic history between France and Kuwait. How did you experience this moment as the Ambassador of France to Kuwait?

Ambassador Olivier Gauvin: The recent visit of His Highness the Amir to Paris on the occasion of the French National Day on 14 July was a landmark event in the history of our bilateral relations. For the very first time, a Kuwaiti Amir attended the military parade from the presidential tribune, alongside the President of the French Republic. In France, 14 July carries deep national significance, symbolizing the unity of the nation and the founding values of the Republic.

The participation of His Highness the Amir in the Bastille Day parade in Paris as Guest of Honor is thus a powerful symbol, reserved for our closest friends and partners. It reflects the strength of the friendship between our two countries and France’s appreciation of Kuwait as a trusted partner. This visit also took place on the eve of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations, which we will celebrate in 2026. On this occasion, the Foreign Ministers of our two countries signed a Declaration of Intent aimed at strengthening cultural cooperation.

It provides for joint celebrations in both France and Kuwait. Events will be organized in both countries to promote Kuwaiti culture in France and French culture in Kuwait. As Ambassador, I am committed to actively promoting this anniversary throughout 2026, with the aim of further enhancing human and cultural exchanges between our two peoples.

Kuwait Times: In your view, what does this visit signify for political dialogue between the two countries?

Ambassador Gauvin: During this visit, His Highness the Amir was invited by the President of the Republic to a working lunch, which was attended notably by the Defense and Foreign Ministers of both countries. I welcome the intensification of these high-level exchanges. It is essential that France and Kuwait continue their political dialogue, based on our shared commitment to multilateralism, international law, and regional stability.

The discussions held on 14 July followed the visit of our Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, to Kuwait on 24 April 2025. These high-level exchanges demonstrate our shared ambition to strengthen coordination in the face of regional crises, especially as Kuwait currently holds the presidency of the GCC. The visit also aimed to pave the way for joint development financing, through enhanced cooperation between the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the French Development Agency (AFD).

Both agencies have expressed a shared interest in deepening their partnership in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, and Syria, to address the needs of local populations for access to drinking water and healthcare services. The two development banks will continue their dialogue, with a view to co-financing initial projects in the 2025–2026 timeframe.

Kuwait Times: France and Kuwait share long-standing and structured defense cooperation. In your opinion, what are the pillars of this long-term relationship?

Ambassador Gauvin: Defense cooperation between our two countries is based on a solid and longstanding foundation. France and Kuwait have stood together during the most decisive moments, united by a clear commitment to sovereignty and security. The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, followed by the liberation war, was a decisive turning point in our bilateral relationship. Eighteen thousand French soldiers fought alongside their Kuwaiti brothers-in-arms. This shared experience forged strong, lasting, and uniquely deep bonds, which are still keenly felt within the French armed forces today. Furthermore, our defense agreement signed in 1992 remains the oldest such agreement concluded by France in the Gulf region. It reflects a relationship based on trust, loyalty, and continuity—values that form the foundation of our cooperation and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Kuwait Times: In a regional context marked by persistent tensions, how does Franco-Kuwaiti security cooperation contribute to Gulf stability?

Ambassador Gauvin: The 21st century is characterized by the emergence of new and asymmetric threats—often multidimensional in nature. In this context, it is crucial to rethink and comprehensively modernize our defense tools. Strengthening the capabilities of our armed forces—whether through advanced training, innovative equipment, or high-value strategic technologies—is a central focus of our cooperation. Our defense and security partnership therefore carries strategic significance. It is built on officer training programs, joint exercises such as Pearl of the West and Arabian Breeze, and continuous operational dialogue between our armed forces.

This cooperation continues to grow, as shown by the upcoming Pearl of the West exercise scheduled for 2026—a large-scale quadrilateral exercise involving more than 500 French troops. During their recent meeting in Paris, our two heads of state welcomed the reinforcement of the security partnership, in particular the potential deployment of a French Gendarmerie liaison officer to the Kuwaiti National Guard. In a region that is constantly evolving, this cooperation remains highly relevant. It reflects our shared commitment to working together for security and stability in the Gulf.