French Ambassador to Kuwait Olivier Gauvin leads the ceremonial cakecutting to mark Bastille Day, joined by Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The visit is a milestone in the history of relations between the two countries -- spanning nearly 65 years, and its 65th anniversary will be celebrated in 2026. France and Kuwait are linked by a historic alliance based on trust and mutual respect.” He pointed out that political cooperation witnessed a strong boost over the past year, particularly with the visit of the French Foreign Minister to Kuwait last April, to enhance coordination on regional crises, at a time Kuwait occupies the presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He said “France and Kuwait share a commitment to multilateralism, peace and international solidarity. We are pleased to work together on development and humanitarian projects that reflect Kuwait’s exemplary humanitarian commitment.” He pointed out that France has been a steadfast ally of Kuwait since the Iraqi invasion, as their armies fought side by side in the liberation war. He said the 1992 defense agreement with Kuwait was the first such agreement signed by Paris in the Gulf. He added that joint training exercises such as ‘Pearl of the West’ and ‘Arab Breeze’ embody the vitality of defense cooperation between the two countries. He also praised the training programs received by Kuwaiti officers in France. He cited the growing interest of French companies in investing in Kuwait in light of the ‘Kuwait 2035’ vision; particularly in the fields of transportation, sustainable energy, smart cities and health.

He also welcomed the growing interest of Kuwaiti investors in development opportunities in France, specifically in the fields of artificial intelligence and technology. He stressed that France has become the primary destination for foreign investment in Europe. He confirmed that France remains the primary destination for Kuwaiti tourism within the Schengen Area, praising the country’s active Francophone community. He reviewed the most prominent events held during Francophonie Month; such as concerts, film screenings, poetry evenings and debates; commending His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- Mohammad Al-Sabah’s support for these activities. He lauded the initiatives to strengthen academic relations, through the establishment of the Sorbonne Association under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nasser Al-Sabah. He said this will provide a platform for exchange between students, researchers and professors. He expressed his hope for increasing the number of Kuwaiti students in France, especially in innovation specializations like artificial intelligence, technology, engineering and management.