Qatar-France Relations


Political relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of France

  • The good relations between Qatar and France, and coherence between the foreign policy of the two countries, and their similar position towards a large number of international files, facilitated a joint activity. It can be said that Qatar has become strategic ally of France in the region of the Middle East.
  • There is regular consultation on major regional and international issues. Defensive relations between France and Qatar are excellent, Defensive Cooperation Agreements cover areas of training and expertise transfer, and it also organizes joint military training courses on a regular basis.
  • The embassy has been keen on continues interaction with government officials, where the embassy organized several banquets in honor of the heads of the Senates, prime ministers, ministers and heads of political parties, as well as the close relations with Elysee officials with advisers, heads of the Government, the Parliament, heads of the Senate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior and other ministries.
  • The State of Qatar has signed a number of different agreements with France, covering all areas (economic, political, cultural, scientific, academic and technical, as well as the military agreements).
  • The countries are tied in a strategic dialogue protocol, where discussion over different matters of importance to the two capitals are taking place regularly.

Common views on political issues between the State of Qatar and the Republic of France:

  • Qatar and France have many Common views on different political issues, which enhanced the relations between the two countries to rise to the level of the strategic relations. The State of Qatar helped France in resolving many issues and crises in Libya, Lebanon, Sudan, Mauritania, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and the Comoros.
  • The cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Republic of France, contributed in supporting the democratic process during the Arab spring.

Cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Republic of France:

  • The State of Qatar made a lot of investments in France in several fields such as real estate, sports and information, as well as their participation in many of the French institutions.
  • On the other hand, France also made a lot of investments in the State of Qatar in the field of oil gas and, as well as investments in the field of infrastructure, especially in the field of large constructions, in lights of the international sports events that will be held in Qatar in 2015 and 2022, as well as the exchanges in the fields of economy and trade, aviation, as well as the military and security fields.
  • In addition to all that, the two countries have close ties in terms of education, where some major French institutes and schools, opened branches in the State of Qatar, such as HEC Paris economic institution, as well as the opening of two high schools, Voltaire and Napoleon Bonaparte. The cooperation in this area has led to the initiation of discussions on the opening of a branch of Saint-Cyr Military Academy.
  • World Economic and financial crisis has made a lot of European countries vulnerable to financial setbacks. French economy is facing the consequences of the high debt and the decline in the trade balance, which made many of the institutions in need of financial support, which opened the door to more Qatari investments in all fields. President Holland now seeks to attract more foreign investments, he held a "council of gravity" at the Elysee Palace under his supervision, and Qatar had a representative in that council.
  • Real estate sector in France, has witnessed a huge increase in the level of prices in recent years, yet, it is still considered a valuable opportunity to achieve profits on the long run.
  • The embassy through its relations with many institutes in all fields, plays an important role in paving the way to promote and develop relations with the State of Qatar.