Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani began a two-day state visit to France on Tuesday, focused on the release of hostages in Gaza and the relaunch of the process for the creation of a Palestinian state, as well as on strengthening the bilateral relationship.
This first state visit by an Emir of Qatar for 15 years, and the first for Tamim ben Hamad Al-Thani since his accession to the throne in 2013,
“constitutes an honor done to France and illustrates the depth of the ties that unite our two countries”
, underlined the Élysée.
Achieve a ceasefire in Gaza
The Emir, whose country plays a central role in the negotiations, and President Emmanuel Macron reiterated during their meetings their desire to arrive
“very quickly at a ceasefire”
, indicated the Élysée.
US President Joe Biden said Monday evening that Israel had agreed to cease its military operations in Gaza during Ramadan (which will begin on March 10 or 11), in order to allow the release of all the hostages.
The release of the hostages is an absolute
“priority”
for France, three of whose nationals are still in the hands of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.
During the visit, the two countries signed a declaration of intent in terms of humanitarian cooperation, particularly in Gaza, including a joint commitment of 200 million euros in favor of the Palestinians.
Three Franco-Qatari cargo planes also chartered humanitarian and medical aid to Al-Arish, an Egyptian town near Rafah, including 75 tons of freight, ten ambulances, food rations as well as nearly 300 family tents, announced the Élysée .
Mbappé as guest star
After the political discussions, it was time for the state dinner: the guests, personalities from the world of sport, economics and culture, began to arrive to the sound of Viennese waltzes played by the Republican Guard.
The captain of the French football team and star striker of PSG, Kylian Mbappé, and the president of the Parisian club, businessman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, member of the emir's inner circle, were notably invited , as well as chef Alain Ducasse and the CEOs of LVMH, Qatar Airways and Airbus.
The war in Gaza broke out after the massive Hamas attack in Israel on October 7 which left around 1,160 dead, most of them civilians, according to an AFP count based on official Israeli data.
Israel's retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has so far killed nearly 30,000 people, mostly women and children, according to Hamas' health ministry.
Figures impossible to confirm as they stand.
Qatar, which hosts the political leadership of Hamas on its soil, is also a
“central partner in efforts to stabilize the region”
while the conflict threatens to spill over into Lebanon, notes Paris.
Doha financially supports the Lebanese Armed Forces and could continue to do so to contribute to a
“de-escalation”
in this country, underlines the Élysée.
As truce talks continue in Doha, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an upcoming ground operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah, which he presents as the final step towards "
total victory."
on Hamas.
Economic Forum
On Wednesday, Prime Ministers Gabriel Attal and Mohammed bin Abdelrahmane Al-Thani will chair an Economic Forum on investment opportunities between the two countries in artificial intelligence, decarbonization, semiconductors, biotechnology and health.
France is the leading European investor in Qatar, with nine billion dollars invested in energy, aeronautics, infrastructure and tourism.
It is also one of the five main recipient countries of investments from the Emirate.
The two countries will also relaunch their cultural relations with an upcoming visit by the French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, to Qatar.