The visit of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to Bahrain, and his meeting with His Majesty King Hamad, come at an important time for both our countries. The visit reflects Bahrain’s place in the partnership France is building with its Gulf partners. It forms part of a regional tour that also took the French President to Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar, guided by a shared conviction: in a region facing major challenges, stability also depends on the strength of relations between partners, their ability to support one another and their willingness to build together.
In response to the crisis facing the Middle East, the French President has demonstrated his commitment to working with the region’s leaders to restore stability and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He sought to strengthen France’s strategic and economic partnerships with the Gulf countries. The visit aimed, in particular, to consolidate the presence of French companies in Bahrain and Bahraini investment in France, as well as to strengthen our co-operation in energy, global issues, defence and security.
The French President was accompanied by a delegation comprising senior French ministers, including the Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans, Catherine Vautrin, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, and the Minister Delegate to the Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans, Alice Rufo, as well as business leaders, his own teams in Paris and the teams in Manama, which I have the privilege of leading.
On the occasion of this important visit, France wishes to demonstrate that it stands alongside Bahrain as a partner in implementing its strategy for economic and energy diversification, notably by supporting its programme to develop the production of electricity and industrial heat from nuclear energy.
In this context, a memorandum of understanding on co-operation in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy was signed by Minister Barrot and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
The relationship between France and Bahrain has a history, but above all it is focused on the future. In 2027, we will celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations. Over the decades, our two countries have developed political trust that today provides a valuable foundation.
The meeting between His Majesty King Hamad and President Macron in Paris on February 6 this year provided a further illustration of this. The visit by the President and his delegation to Manama is a natural continuation of that meeting: it reflects our shared determination to build on this trust and take our relationship further.
This ambition has particular resonance in the current regional context. The security of our partners, freedom of navigation and energy stability are not separate issues: they directly underpin the region’s prosperity and the trade on which our economies depend. France intends to be a reliable partner, committed for the long term. In this respect, the signing of a defence co-operation agreement with Bahrain in February this year marks an important milestone. It strengthens our ability to work together and opens up new opportunities for co-operation, including industrial co-operation.
This solidarity is also expressed in multilateral forums. As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2026-2027, Bahrain joins France in raising shared concerns within the Council. Our respective presidencies of the Council, Bahrain’s in April followed by France’s in September, have enabled us to deepen our dialogue on regional crises and major international issues.
In the Strait of Hormuz, Bahrain’s participation in the proposed multinational M3SOH mission, initiated by France and jointly led with the United Kingdom, provides a concrete illustration of this determination to work together for freedom of navigation. This is how mutual support between partners takes on its full meaning: not only in statements, but also in our ability to co-ordinate our efforts.
The bilateral relationship is not confined to security, however. Its strength is also reflected in the ability of our two countries to invest in their shared economic future. Our bilateral trade grew by more than 17 per cent in 2025, while French exports to Bahrain almost doubled. Yet beyond these figures, the very nature of our partnership is evolving.
Alba’s acquisition of Aluminium Dunkerque for $2.2 billion represents a major strategic investment in France. The partnership between Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat and the French fund TRAIL also reflects this momentum. These transactions show that the relationship is no longer simply one between companies trading with each other: it is becoming one between economic actors who choose to build together.
Lastly, no lasting relationship can rest solely on political agreements and investment. It is also built between societies, through mutual understanding, education and culture. The presence of the French school in Bahrain since 1976, the development of the Alliance Française, which will open new premises in 2027, and partnerships between higher education institutions illustrate the depth of these human ties.
In a region going through a demanding period, strengthening our partnerships is not a choice dictated by circumstances. It is a necessity. President Macron’s visit must enable us to take a further step forward: consolidate our strategic co-operation, broaden our economic prospects and nurture the ties that unite our two peoples. As we approach the 55th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, France and Bahrain have an essential asset: established trust on which we can build new ambitions.
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