Doha- Media & Communication Dept. -June 11

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, and Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, led the 2nd Qatar-France Strategic Dialogue on June 8th 2023, in Doha, Qatar.

Qatar and France welcomed the Second Annual Strategic Dialogue, and reviewed the significant progress since the first Strategic Dialogue was held in March 2022. Both countries highlighted the strength of their bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their determination to develop its full potential by deepening cooperation in all areas of common interest and identifying joint concrete projects to further deepen their strategic cooperation. 

The two sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to a rule-based international order, as well as promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East, and to pursuing close cooperation in relation to regional and global crises.

A testament to their strong partnership, this year’s dialogue reviewed bilateral relations, regional and international matters, development and humanitarian assistance, defense and security, trade, investment, economy, education, culture and scientific research, climate change, energy, environment and sports.

The State of Qatar and the Republic of France signed a Letter of Intent (LI) on Cooperation and partnership in International Development.

Political Cooperation

Qatar and France expressed their commitment to consolidate strategic partnership through continued in-depth dialogue based on trust on all key issues to meet global challenges. The Ministers emphasized the importance of further deepening their dialogue, diplomacy and political coordination on crises affecting regional and global security and in promoting peace, security and prosperity.

Prime Minister Al-Thani and Minister Colonna discussed recent developments in Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, Libya, Iran, Afghanistan, Chad and explored ways to further deepen coordination in these areas.

On the Middle East Peace Process, they reiterated their commitment to reaching a two-state solution on the basis of all relevant UN resolutions, based on 1967 lines with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states. They highlighted the urgency in stopping all unilateral actions, in particular with regards to the settlement expansions and the importance of upholding the historic status quo at all holy sites in Jerusalem. They expressed their concern about the humanitarian, political, security and economic situation in the Gaza Strip and reaffirmed the indispensable role of UNRWA and the need to support it.

Both countries reaffirmed their support to the sovereignty, independence, territorial unity and integrity of Ukraine, and reaffirmed their commitment to principles of international law and the UN Charter.

In the run-up to the 3rd Baghdad Summit, both Ministers expressed their shared commitment to advance cooperation and enhance regional security and stability, including through supporting Iraq’s stability and prosperity to promote comprehensive development and reconstruction.

Humanitarian and Development Cooperation

On humanitarian and development cooperation, both countries affirmed their intention to reinforce cooperation and coordination through strengthening dialogue between their respective implementing agencies, and agreed to identify joint projects to the benefit of populations in need. Both governments look forward to signing a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) between QFFD and AFD group which will provide a joint framework to facilitate and reinforce cooperation.

Defense and Security Cooperation

Qatar and France reaffirmed the importance of the defense and security cooperation as a foundation stone of their partnership. This was illustrated by the increase in official-level visits in the past year, and the deepening coordination on an operational level, they also explored ways to build on existing links and expand activities on common strategic interests. 

Both parties welcomed the robust and long-lasting partnership between their respective security forces. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Al-Thani thanked France for its security partnership and contribution in preparation for and during the FIFA World Cup 2022. They emphasised interest inbuilding on this cooperation, as well as identifying new areas of cooperation in fields of common interest.

Both governments agreed to continue their strong partnership in cybersecurity and in combating terrorism, countering violent extremism and illicit financial flows, and deterring transnational threats. 

Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation

Qatar and France emphasized the importance of their growing economic, trade and investment partnership, with a total trade of more than EUR4.2 billion in the past year, the two governments highlighted the marked increase in bilateral trade, which grew by 165 percent between 2021 and 2022, contributing to supporting jobs, innovation and economic development in both countries. 

Both sides discussed ways to further develop their trade and investment partnership, through a Roadmap focused on strategic areas in alignment with the framework of the economic diversification goals stated by Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and in accordance with the economic plan “France 2030” and underscored their keenness to continue enhancing cooperation between the Qatari and French private sectors and bolstering cooperation. 

They also explored areas of common interest such as fiscal policy, financial support to developing countries, green finance, ECA financing, food security, and circular economy. 

The two countries’ leadership expressed their desire to expand cooperation into new areas such as innovation and the transition to renewable and clean energy.

Education, Higher Education, Culture and Health Cooperation and Sports

Qatar and France reflected on the strong cooperation in the fields of culture, education, higher education, and health. They underscored their intentions to further increase activities in these fields. They expressed their mutual intentions to boost their education and higher education cooperation, through promoting academic student exchanges, as well as further exploring joint programs and curriculums that enable students to achieve their personal and professional goals.

they also highlighted their growing partnership in the field of higher education, in particular after the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between Sciences Po and Doha Institute. Both parties praised their joint efforts aimed at increasing the teaching of the French language in high schools in Qatar. 

The cultural ties between Qatar and France were also discussed as potential areas of enhanced cooperation. They emphasized the importance of strengthening coordination between their respective institutions in that regard.

Qatar and France also expressed their wish to strengthen the sharing of expertise between medical communities in both countries, including by renewing the intergovernmental agreement on the training of Qatari medical specialists in France. 

Minister Colonna congratulated the State of Qatar on its hugely successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first to be held in the Arab world. In the run-up to France hosting the Rugby World Cup 2023 and Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games both sides expressed their commitment to expert knowledge sharing. They agreed to continue their dialogue on the transformative dimension and legacy of major international sporting events.

A Partnership Towards a Shared and Responsible Future 

The State of Qatar and France emphasize the importance of their continued partnership which benefits the interests of both countries and consolidates coordination towards a shared and responsible future.

Qatar and France look forward to reviewing progress in these areas at the third Strategic Dialogue to be held in Paris in 2024.