Doha, October 19 (QNA) - In a move that reflects the strength and solidity of the historical ties and the close, growing strategic partnership between the two friendly nations, HE President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron will arrive for an official visit to the State of Qatar, as announced in a statement by the Amiri Diwan.

HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will hold discussions with the French President, focusing on ways to support and strengthen relations across various fields and to advance them toward broader horizons, for the benefit and common interest of both countries and their friendly peoples.

HH the Amir will address with the French President the coordination between the two friendly nations regarding various regional and international issues, efforts aimed at fostering security, stability, and peace both regionally and globally, in addition to discussing the latest regional and international developments, as well as a number of topics of mutual interest.

HE the French President's visit to Qatar marks a new milestone in the distinguished relationship between the two nations.

It is set to provide strong support and new momentum to these ties, especially given the partnerships and shared interests that link the two countries, as well as their aligned visions and positions on a range of regional and international issues.

Furthermore, the visit carries great significance in light of the current circumstances unfolding in the region and across various parts of the world, a situation that necessitates continued coordination, consultation, and an ongoing exchange of views and perspectives between the leaderships of both nations.

The two countries regularly exchange high-level visits as part of their efforts to strengthen and develop their bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of both friendly nations, in addition to maintaining ongoing consultations on a wide range of international issues.

In this context, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, and HE Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Noel Barrot, co-chaired the third annual Strategic Dialogue between the two countries, which took place in Paris, France, in June of last year.

A joint statement issued at the conclusion of the dialogue noted the significant progress made by both countries since the state visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to France in February 2024, a visit that led to new cooperation initiatives in the fields of security, defense, economy, trade, investment, and education.

Both nations underscored the strength of their bilateral relationship and pledged to further develop it by expanding their strategic partnership across key areas.

Furthermore, the statement reaffirmed the commitment of both states to supporting a rules-based international order grounded in international law, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East, and maintaining close cooperation regarding regional and global crises.

The two countries emphasized the importance of their growing economic, trade, and investment partnership, with the total volume of trade exchange exceeding €1.3 billion in 2024. Both sides noted that bilateral trade contributes significantly to supporting jobs, innovation, and economic development in both nations.

They also touched upon the progress made regarding Qatar's landmark 2024 commitment to invest EUR 10 billion in key sectors of the French economy including areas of mutual benefit: food security, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, information technology, semiconductors, the energy transition, aerospace, intellectual property, healthcare, tourism, hospitality, and culture.

Furthermore, they discussed ways to further strengthen their investment partnership and affirmed their readiness to facilitate cooperation between the Qatari and French private sectors.

The State of Qatar and the French Republic share a strong strategic relationship that has spanned more than 50 years. This partnership has evolved significantly, built upon foundations of mutual respect and common interests, with a focus on supporting security and stability both within the region and beyond.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Doha and Paris in 1972, the two nations have worked closely to promote peace and stability, collaborated on mediation efforts to resolve crises, and advocated for peaceful solutions to conflicts, most notably in the Gaza Strip, Syria, and Lebanon, while remaining committed to upholding humanitarian principles and the rights of all communities.

The State of Qatar and the French Republic enjoy growing and diverse economic relations. France is considered one of Qatar's key economic partners, with French trade and economic delegations regularly visiting Doha to strengthen cooperation with both the public and private sectors in Qatar.

The French side is keen to enhance prospects for commercial, economic, and industrial cooperation with Qatar and to explore opportunities for joint investment.

Currently, approximately 665 French companies operate in Qatar, a testament to the strength of the bilateral economic ties and the confidence French firms have in the Qatari market as a strategic hub for growth within the region.

The State of Qatar has long been a strategic partner to the French Republic. Qatari investments in France, and French investments in Qatar, form the cornerstone of their economic partnership and serve as vital contributors to both nations' economies.

The two countries are engaged in long-term projects, including initiatives in water desalination, notably between QatarEnergy and the French firm TotalEnergies.

QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies have entered into a partnership agreement for the expansion of the North Field East project, the largest single project in the history of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry.

Data from the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Projects Monitor, managed by the Investment Promotion Agency, indicates that, over the past decade (2017–2026), France has ranked among the top five countries in terms of the number of FDI projects in Qatar.

This includes 90 investment projects with a total capital value exceeding USD 7.5 billion, which have helped create more than 7,400 jobs across sectors such as consumer goods, textiles, software, IT services, and business services.

In this context, a high-level investment meeting was held in Paris last June by the Investment Promotion Agency, in collaboration with MEDEF International, the international arm of the French business confederation.

The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral economic relations between the State of Qatar and the French Republic, and to expand long-term investment partnerships.

The meeting program included discussion sessions that explored Qatar's economic diversification goals, the regulatory environment for investors, and investment opportunities across various sectors, such as technology, manufacturing, and financial services.

Participants also learned about the country's competitive advantages, most notably its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and an integrated business ecosystem that enables companies to expand and access regional and global markets.

Last July, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) signed a memorandum of understanding with CCI France Qatar, the French Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, aimed at expanding trade and investment partnerships and strengthening economic ties between Qatar and France.

The agreement also seeks to support the growth of investments and enhance the utilization of opportunities offered by the QFC.

The partnership between the State of Qatar and the French Republic is not limited to political and commercial aspects; it also extends to the fields of education, culture, sports, health, and human development.

Relations between the two nations are governed by a diverse range of agreements covering the economic, political, cultural, scientific, academic, and technical fields, in addition to military agreements.

Furthermore, cooperation in the areas of security and defense serves as a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship between the State of Qatar and the French Republic.

France is a founding member of the European Union, the largest country in the Union by land area, and the second-largest economy and market on the European continent, with a population of over 66 million.

It is the world's leading tourist destination, having welcomed more than 100 million tourists last year (2025). In terms of gross domestic product (GDP), France ranks seventh among the world's economies, following the United States, China, Japan, Germany, India, and the United Kingdom, with a value estimated at approximately 3.6 trillion US dollars, according to 2026 data from the International Monetary Fund. (QNA)