Bahrain and France have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership across several key areas, including defence, energy, and technology. The commitment was solidified during official talks between Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and French President Emmanuel Macron. The discussions aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation to support shared economic and security interests while also addressing regional and international challenges.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of bolstering defence and security collaboration to ensure the safety of their nations and contribute to regional stability. King Hamad condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, expressing solidarity with the kingdom and praising France’s support for maritime security. Both leaders agreed on the necessity of international cooperation, particularly through the United Nations, to address regional issues, including the Palestinian conflict and the pursuit of a two-state solution.
In addition to security matters, energy cooperation was a significant focus of the talks. Bahrain and France signed a memorandum of understanding on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, aiming to develop expertise and technical capabilities for a civilian nuclear energy program. This agreement highlights the countries’ shared commitment to addressing regional and economic challenges by ensuring reliable energy supplies.
The talks also explored opportunities for joint projects in energy, industry, and transportation. Notably, there is a proposal for railway connectivity linking Bahrain with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Industrial collaboration was another point of interest, with Macron highlighting potential cooperation with Aluminium Bahrain (Alba).
The meeting concluded with King Hamad awarding President Macron the Collar of the Order of Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Exceptional Class, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen the relationship between Bahrain and France. The discussions underscored the countries’ mutual commitment to expanding their strategic partnership in defence, energy, industry, and advanced technology.