French Foreign Minister Heads to Gulf Tour to Strengthen Partnerships

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot is set to embark on a three-day tour across Gulf states starting Wednesday, in a bid to bolster defence collaborations and address the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Lebanon, according to sources within the ministry.

The diplomatic visit will begin with a formal dinner hosted by Saudi officials on Wednesday evening, leading into pivotal discussions scheduled for Thursday in Qatar.

Following his engagements in Qatar, Barrot will travel to Abu Dhabi to connect with French troops stationed there and meet Emirati leaders.

The final stop on his itinerary will be in Oman on Friday, where he is expected to hold talks with Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi.

This highly anticipated trip, which follows similar efforts by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and EU foreign affairs minister Kaja Kallas, aims to “consolidate a Franco-Gulf, and even Euro-Gulf approach,” ministry sources revealed.

“It is clear that Gulf countries will not emerge from this crisis unchanged,” sources added. “They will face different challenges, different needs, different requirements, and will reconfigure their partnerships, and we intend to play our full part in this.”

According to Paris, it is essential to “expand, amplify, and also renew security partnerships” given the close defence ties between Europe and the Gulf. France has previously deployed Rafale jets and air-defence systems to the UAE to counter Iranian drone and missile attacks. Defence agreements spanning Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain underscore this collaboration.

“This war, like the war in Ukraine, is part of a new way of waging war; in particular the extensive use of drones and AI, and there are new partnerships that need to be established,” noted the source.

Naval Engagement and Regional Stability

Barrot’s mission extends further, seeking collaboration with Gulf nations to address the fraught situations in Lebanon and Iran, where temporary ceasefires have been forged following a joint attack by the US and Israel on February 28.

France has worked closely with the UK to initiate a defensive naval mission involving 51 states in the Strait of Hormuz, contingent upon the establishment of a long-term ceasefire.

However, in Lebanese peace talks led in Washington, France—despite its historically strong ties to Beirut—has been left on the sidelines by Israel.

Notably, France has refrained from engaging with Iran-backed Hezbollah since two French soldiers were killed last week in southern Lebanon under circumstances pointing to potential Hezbollah involvement.

“We have a fairly close-knit approach with certain Gulf countries, in particular Saudi Arabia,” shared diplomatic sources. “We have the same support for Lebanese sovereignty, for the Lebanese state, for the territorial integrity of Lebanon as well, but also a fine understanding of the fragile Lebanese balances and an attachment to the stability of this country.”

France shares a collaborative history with Saudi Arabia, including leading efforts at the UN General Assembly in September to recognize Palestinian statehood. In recent days, Saudi Arabia has intensified its diplomatic outreach to Lebanon, fostering significant momentum in consolidating the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Looking ahead, France, along with other European nations, aspires to reduce security risks in the Hormuz Strait by rejuvenating alternative trade routes within the region. Key among these is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which diplomatic sources describe as a promising initiative.

Although the IMEC gained traction following its signing in New Delhi in 2023, progress has been uneven. While India has advanced its seaport infrastructure, development of the railway across the Arabian Peninsula has lagged behind expectations.

The exploration of new routes through Syria, which has renewed its ties with Europe following the departure of former president Bashar Al Assad, is also on the table. “We have a certain number of companies or operators that can contribute effectively to these new infrastructures,” sources concluded.

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