During her press briefing at the Embassy yesterday, French Charge d’affaires Elisabeth Barbier said that Kuwait and France enjoy excellent bilateral relations since the independence of Kuwait in 1961.
On the eve of Bastille Day (French National Day), Barbier noted that the celebrations in France this year would be subdued because of the coronavirus pandemic with celebrations to show gratefulness to the frontline workers such as health workers as well as the military, police and municipal workers and volunteers.
Celebrations including parades and fireworks also have an airshow and grand fireworks display but will be restricted to the general public.
Pointing at the historical friendship, Barbier noted that there have been continuous and frequent high-level exchanges which include visits from Kuwait’s deputy prime minister and minister of defense to France last year as well as the visit of the president of the French Senate to Kuwait early last year.
“The relationship is active in several areas, and we wish more can be done in trade and commerce,” Barbier remarked. She said that a delegation of French businessmen was due to visit Kuwait but under the present circumstances it was postponed while new dates are under discussion.
Barbier said traditionally there has been cooperation between Kuwait and France on the medical field to train Kuwaiti medical interns in French hospitals and there has been an agreement to that effect. Barbier noted that it would also be useful to exchange experience during the crises and lessons learned on the preparedness.
The French Embassy issued almost 42,000 visas in 2019, indicating France was among the favored destinations for Kuwaitis while 200 Kuwaiti students were also enrolled in French universities.
The diplomat emphasized that trade between the two countries grew significantly and the bilateral trade touched $1.1 billion in 2018. Close to 26 French companies operating in Kuwait in various sectors including health, fashion, food etc. Meanwhile, there were more than 2000 French-based companies doing business with Kuwaiti businesses dealing in different products.
“We wish for more investment from Kuwaitis in France,” Barbier indicated, adding that France was recognized as the top destination for investment in Europe last year. She said that French companies have shown keen interest to participate in all the mega projects in Kuwait as part of the country’s 2035 vision and French companies had a solution in various fields including a green economy that would help Kuwait a lot.
Kuwait has hundreds of students studying in French universities and more than 3000 medical visas were issued last year for the treatment of Kuwaiti nationals.
Regarding the postponement of the strategic dialogue between Kuwait and France that was scheduled to be held in March, Barbier hoped that it would take place before the end of 2020. “Kuwait has a special role in the Gulf region and is a good mediator, Kuwait is also a strong proponent of multilateralism and had a successful 2-year term at the security council,” she pointed out.
“We like to listen to Kuwait and on how and what Kuwait analyses the situation in the region,” Barbier praised Kuwaiti diplomatic initiatives adding that Kuwait is trying very hard to mediate in the region and noted that France and Kuwait had many common views on several aspects in the region.
