Doha, October 21, 2026 : HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron held official talks at Lusail Palace on Tuesday, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across key sectors.
Welcoming Macron and his accompanying delegation, the Amir expressed pleasure at the French President’s historic state visit, the first by a French president to Qatar. He said the visit reflected the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries, expressing his commitment to further advancing cooperation in various fields.
For his part, Macron thanked the Amir for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He reaffirmed France’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in ways that serve the aspirations of both countries and their peoples.
During the talks, the two leaders reviewed the strategic partnership between Qatar and France and discussed opportunities to enhance collaboration, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, security and defense.
The meeting was attended by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani; HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al-Thani; HE Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi; and several ministers and senior Qatari officials.
Representing France were Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister Delegate attached to the Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo, and other senior officials.
Earlier, the Amir and Macron held a bilateral meeting to discuss relations between the two countries, prospects for cooperation and the latest regional developments.
Macron was received at Lusail Palace with an official welcoming ceremony featuring a 21-gun salute, a performance of Qatar’s traditional Ardha dance and displays by horse-mounted and camel-mounted guards. The ceremony also included the playing of the national anthems of Qatar and France, followed by introductions between the two official delegations.
Source: QNA
