France and Bahrain, United by Trust and Cooperation

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

As France marks its National Day, this is an opportunity to reflect not only on the values that have shaped our Republic, but also on the friendships and partnerships that continue to shape our future.

The last few months have been difficult for all of us and I want to express once again, on my own behalf and on behalf of France, our full support to the Kingdom of Bahrain. We extend our solidarity and friendship to both its leaders and its people after the unjustified and unacceptable attacks from the Iranian regime.

As in the previous year, 2026 began very well for the Franco-Bahraini relation, with a Royal visit to France. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa travelled to Paris on 6 February for talks with President Emmanuel Macron. The visit marked a new milestone in the strengthening of our bilateral relationship, notably with the signing of a defense cooperation agreement.

A few weeks later, the regional context changed profoundly. Since 28 February 2026, France has honored all its commitments across the Gulf, including those relating to Bahrain. In times of crisis as in more favorable circumstances, France has remained true to its commitments and to its friendship with the Kingdom.

This mutual confidence has also been reflected in the intensity of the political dialogue between our two countries. On 24 July 2025, the Fourth Franco-Bahraini High Bilateral Joint Committee met in Paris under the co-chairmanship of our Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Jean-Noël Barrot.

France remains deeply committed to multilateralism and to the rule of law. It is in this spirit that we work closely with Bahrain at the United Nations Security Council. Our cooperation began well before Bahrain assumed its seat as a non-permanent member, following its election, and has continued to deepen through regular exchanges when Bahrain held the presidency of the United Nations Security Council last April.

France remains deeply committed to

multilateralism and to the rule of law.

It is in this spirit that we work closely with

Bahrain at the United Nations Security Council.

Multilateralism is expressed not only through international institutions but also through the defense of the common rules that govern relations between States. Foremost among these is respect for international law.

This commitment to multilateralism is also reflected in the broad international coalition supporting a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Thirty-five countries from the Coalition of the Willing, an initiative led by France and the United Kingdom to help secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine after the end of hostilities, will be represented on the Bastille Day Parade in Paris. This broad participation demonstrates the commitment of France and its partners to the security of Ukraine and the European continent.

This commitment to multilateralism, naturally extends to freedom of navigation, which must be upheld in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It is in this spirit that France and the United Kingdom have brought together a coalition of non-belligerent countries prepared to undertake a maritime security and mine-clearance mission when conditions allow; I would like to thank Bahrain for taking part in this initiative.

Our partnership continues to grow in the economic sphere as well. Last month's Choose France and Vision Golfe events gave fresh momentum to our economic exchanges. Alba's acquisition of a majority stake in Aluminum Dunkerque, together with the partnership between Mumtalakat and a French fund called Trail, are tangible examples of this growing cooperation. This momentum is also reflected in our trade's figures. Indeed, France was the leading European supplier to Bahrain in 2025.

The vitality of our relationship is also reflected in parliamentary exchanges, most recently through the visit to Bahrain of a delegation from the French Senate's friendship group for the Gulf led by Senator Olivier Cadic.

France remains a valued partner for Bahrain across a wide range of strategic sectors, including healthcare, justice, sport, culture, innovation, the creative industries and higher education. One example is Terra Academia, a French continuing education institution and an accelerator for skills and professions essential to ecological transformation. It has chosen Bahrain to establish its regional hub, from which it will work with some of Bahrain's leading industrial companies.

Student mobility, scholarships, archaeological cooperation, French language programs and professional training continue to strengthen the ties between our two countries.

This cooperation was further demonstrated just a few weeks ago, when we laid the foundation stone of the new Alliance Française, which will open in Adliya next year.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all my fellow citizens who work every day to strengthen the ties between France and Bahrain. I am particularly thinking of our "Team France" – the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bahrain, the French Foreign Trade Advisors, the Alliance Française, the French Lycée, and the The Bahrain French Speaking Society – as well as all those who, in their own way, contribute to this collective effort.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Daily Tribune)