Kuwait - Visit of Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (25 April 2025)

Mr. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, paid an official visit to Kuwait on Thursday, 24 April 2025, as part of his Middle-East trip

He was received by the Crown Prince of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, His Excellency Sheikh Fahad Al-Youssef Al-Sabah. On this occasion, the Minister praised the long-standing and deep friendship between the two countries, which spans the diplomatic, economic, cultural, military, educational, academic, research, and health fields. He welcomed the prospect of an official visit to Paris this year by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince, at the invitation of the President of the Republic.

In order to strengthen the partnership between France and Kuwait, the Minister and his counterpart, His Excellency Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, signed a declaration of intent on energy cooperation as well as an intergovernmental agreement on sharing and exchange of classified information in the defense field.

The Minister congratulated Kuwait on its presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and expressed his wish to strengthen coordination between the two countries in response to regional crises.

Faced with the scale of destruction in Gaza, they rejected any solution involving the forced displacement of the Palestinian population, which would constitute a grave breach of international law. The Minister reaffirmed France’s commitment to a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and negotiations toward a credible “day after” plan, in line with the proposals in the Arab plan for Gaza. He recalled that France and Saudi Arabia will co-chair an international conference in the summer in support of the two-state solution, the only one capable of ensuring lasting peace.

Regarding Syria, the Minister reiterated France’s commitment to a rigorous political transition that respects Syrian pluralism and addresses collective security challenges, especially the fight against terrorism.

On Lebanon, the Minister expressed France’s deep concern over renewed tensions in the south and called on all parties to respect the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024.

The ministers also discussed global issues, particularly the protection of oceans. The Minister emphasized the need for both countries to mobilize ahead of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which will take place in Nice from 9 to 13 June 2025 and be co-chaired by France and Costa Rica.

Accompanied by a delegation of French business leaders, the Minister met with the Kuwaiti Minister of Finance, Economy and Investment, in the presence of the Executive Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority, and the Minister of Public Works, the Minister of Municipalities, and the Minister of Electricity. The Minister welcomed Kuwait’s ambitions for economic transformation. He highlighted the readiness of French companies to play a full part, drawing on their world-renowned expertise, particularly in the fields of transport, sustainable cities, and energy transition.