Doha, October 19 (QNA) - HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the French Republic Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani affirmed that the state visit by HE French President Emmanuel Macron to the State of Qatar on October 20-21 marks a significant milestone in the history of the strategic relations between the two friendly nations, and reflects the advanced level of cooperation and coordination they have achieved across various fields.

In a special statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of the visit, HE the Ambassador noted that Qatari-French relations have witnessed remarkable development over the past decades, evolving from cooperation in a number of traditional areas to a broad strategic partnership that encompasses the political, economic, security, and defense spheres, as well as energy, investment, culture, sports, education, technology, and innovation.

His Excellency added that the visit reaffirms the shared commitment to continue developing this partnership and elevating it to broader horizons in a manner commensurate with the scale of mutual interests and current regional and international challenges.

In recent years, relations between the two countries have witnessed an intensive exchange of visits and communications at the highest levels, reflecting the depth and evolution of these ties; most notable among these was the official visit by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to France on June 16, 2026, during which he participated in the G7 summit held in the French town of Evian. His Highness also paid a state visit to Paris in February 2024, which stands as a significant milestone in the development and flourishing of the relationship, and serves as the culmination of an exceptional strategic and historical partnership between the two nations.

Regarding political and diplomatic coordination, His Excellency emphasized that such coordination constitutes one of the key pillars of the Qatari-French partnership, especially in light of the crises and challenges currently unfolding in the region and across the globe, which necessitate intensified consultation and a focus on dialogue, mediation, and diplomatic solutions. His Excellency noted France’s appreciation for the role played by the State of Qatar in mediation and conflict resolution, most notably its diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran confrontation, which reflects Qatar’s steadfast commitment to defending its sovereignty without being drawn into war, its persistence in mediation despite facing acts of aggression, and its adherence to international law in the face of attempts to impose a fait accompli through the use of force.

Qatari mediation efforts, including those concerning Gaza, the establishment of a truce, the release of hostages, and the delivery of humanitarian aid, have been welcomed by French authorities at the highest levels. His Excellency also highlighted the importance of coordination between the two countries regarding support for Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty, the preservation of security and stability in Syria, and cooperation in the realm of international maritime security, specifically by ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and upholding international law.

His Excellency also noted that the French President’s visit to Doha serves as an opportunity to strengthen public-private partnerships, encourage mutual investments, and expand cooperation across sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and cybersecurity, in addition to energy, healthcare, medical technology, higher education, scientific research, and culture.

HE the Ambassador emphasized the importance of continued cooperation in the fields of defense and security, one of the most well-established aspects of the partnership between the two countries, in light of the global security challenges, including condemned Iranian acts of aggression, growing cyber threats, and the need to protect critical infrastructure.

His Excellency emphasized that the visit of President Emmanuel Macron to Qatar represents an opportunity to strengthen the Qatari-French partnership, expand its scope, and launch new initiatives that support cooperation across the political, economic, security, cultural, sports, and technological spheres. He expressed hope that the visit would help open broader horizons for cooperation between the two nations, serving their mutual interests and fostering security, stability, and development at both the regional and international levels. (QNA)