French President Emmanuel Macron began a Gulf tour on Monday, covering Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar, aiming to secure additional oil and diesel supplies, strengthen economic and defense partnerships, and support efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Elysee Palace clarified that Paris, through the tour lasting until Wednesday, seeks additional oil and diesel quantities to enhance supplies and mitigate the impact of the energy crisis on the daily lives of French citizens. Macron is accompanied by officials from French energy groups TotalEnergies and Engie.
Strait of Hormuz Complicates Supply Calculations
French efforts face a major obstacle in the continued disruption of energy transport in the Gulf since the outbreak of war between the US and Iran in February. Restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which previously carried five oil supplies before the war, have increased risks to supplies and raised transportation and insurance costs.
In this context, Macron's Gulf negotiations extend beyond securing additional fuel quantities to include protecting sea lanes and diversifying energy transport routes, including alternative land pipeline routes. These options are particularly important given the risks surrounding the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Partnerships Beyond Oil
The French tour carries dimensions beyond securing fuels, as Paris seeks to strengthen the presence and investments of its companies in the Gulf, expanding cooperation in defense, security, technology, and infrastructure. In Kuwait, the French President discussed with Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah the development of bilateral relations.
The visit also included steps to enhance defense cooperation, announcing intentions to support the renewal of Kuwait Airways' fleet and cooperation in maintenance and training, as well as projects in technology and artificial intelligence. According to the Elysee Palace, talks in the UAE will focus on defense, security, and modern technologies, while the Bahrain visit aims to strengthen economic and defense relations.
Paris faces parallel domestic economic and political challenges, including difficulties in passing the budget, rising public debt costs, and declining confidence in government performance, with the upcoming 2027 presidential elections increasing the importance of containing living pressure.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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