Kuwait city: Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya announced that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to France underscores the depth of the historical relations between the two nations. Al-Yahya highlighted the significance of this visit in promoting the strategic partnership between Kuwait and France.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Yahya emphasized that the Kuwaiti-French relations have been built over more than sixty years of constructive cooperation and political understanding. The Amir's visit is expected to include high-level meetings with senior French officials and the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding in areas such as infrastructure, education, defense, and culture.
Al-Yahya noted that the visit aims to open new horizons for political, economic, and investment cooperation, aligning with the priorities of Kuwait's National Development Plan, known as New Kuwait 2035. He described France as a reliable international partner for Kuwait, acknowledging France's supportive positions regarding Kuwait's security and stability.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is set to commence his official visit to France on Sunday. The historical ties between Kuwait and France began on August 28, 1961, with France appointing its Beirut ambassador as envoy to Kuwait and establishing commercial representation before diplomatic relations were formalized in 1967.
In the cultural domain, a cooperation agreement signed in 1969 facilitated the education of Kuwaiti students in France and supported training programs, graduate studies, and joint research. The relationship further strengthened in 2015 with the signing of eight agreements in culture, education, and social sciences, including the establishment of the French Center for Archeology and Social Sciences in Kuwait.
The bilateral cooperation was reinforced during the visit of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to Kuwait in April 2025, which resulted in the signing of three crucial agreements. These included a declaration of intent for cooperation in energy, a memorandum of understanding on energy efficiency and energy transition, and an agreement for the exchange of classified information in the defense field.