Paris: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa held a session of talks with His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, at the €š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬°lys©e Palace in the French capital, Paris, on the occasion of His Majesty's official visit to the French Republic, at the invitation of the French President.
According to Bahrain News Agency, upon His Majesty's arrival at the €š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬°lys©e Palace, HE the French President welcomed His Majesty at an official reception ceremony. During the talks, HE President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the depth of the historical relations between the two countries and peoples, as well as the progress achieved across various domains in support of common interests.
HM the King commended the French President's keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries. The talks also addressed means to enhance bilateral relations across all sectors to achieve shared benefit. During the session, a joint defence cooperation agreement was signed. The agreement was signed on behalf of the Kingdom of Bahrain by His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Adviser and Secretary General of the Supreme Defence Council, and on behalf of the French side by Alice Rufo, Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans.
Both sides commended the efforts of the Joint Bahraini-French High Committee. They highlighted the positive outcomes achieved in advancing cooperation and emphasised the importance of continuing the committee's work to expand cooperation across various domains. The talks also addressed regional and international developments, and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic solutions and reducing tensions.
His Majesty praised France's role, under President Macron's leadership, in supporting international security, peace and stability, and its support for just Arab causes. In honour of His Majesty's visit, the French President hosted a luncheon attended by senior officials from both sides.