From RFI · · 1m 40s
Macron heads to Gulf to secure fuel and strengthen ties
French president visits Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar to lock in additional oil and gas supplies while deepening defence and technology partnerships.
In brief
French president visits Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar to lock in additional oil and gas supplies while deepening defence and technology partnerships. Emmanuel Macron travels to four Gulf states from October nineteenth to twenty-first to secure extra fuel supplies for France and strengthen economic and defence ties…
Macron confirms Gulf trip despite unrest
French president Emmanuel Macron will depart for a three-day Gulf tour as scheduled despite nationwide rioting and looting over school conditions and rising prices.
Four nations, one mission: fuel security
Macron will visit Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar from nineteen to twenty-first October to secure additional diesel and petrol supplies for France.
Why fuel supplies matter now
Energy shipments from the Gulf face growing disruption because of instability around two of the world's most important maritime chokepoints: the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
Macron's goal: lower prices for French people
A presidential adviser said the aim is to secure additional volumes and more supplies for the French people, which will indirectly have an effect on prices.
“The aim is to secure additional volumes and more supplies for the French people, which will indirectly have an effect on prices.”
Energy giants join the mission
Macron will be accompanied by senior executives from TotalEnergies and Engie, France's two largest energy groups, to negotiate fuel supply deals.
Beyond energy: defence and technology
Macron will seek to deepen partnerships in defence, technology, infrastructure and investment. A fifty billion euro data centre investment agreement with the UAE reflects growing AI cooperation.
France bolsters Middle East military presence
France has stepped up its military presence in the Middle East this year, deploying the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, Rafale fighter jets, a frigate and air defence systems to protect French interests.
What it means
Emmanuel Macron travels to four Gulf states from October nineteenth to twenty-first to secure extra fuel supplies for France and strengthen economic and defence ties amid Middle East instability.
