# France’s decades-long ties with Gulf states built on economic development, oil and defence agreements

https://mins.news/en/item/108185

- France 24, 2026-10-20 15:52 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.france24.com/en/video/20261020-france-s-decades-long-ties-with-gulf-states-built-on-economic-development-oil-defense-agreements-1

> Former French ambassador to the UAE and Saudi Arabia François Gouyette says Emmanuel Macron’s Gulf diplomacy aims both to ease France’s energy pressures and reaffirm long-standing defence partnerships with Gulf monarchies. He describes French military assistance as strategic solidarity, not direct participation in the war with Iran.

## Related coverage

- [Macron begins state visit to Qatar as part of wider Gulf tour](https://mins.news/en/item/108293) — euronews, 2026-10-20
- [As Macron visits the Gulf, can France build its own energy-for-security future?](https://mins.news/en/item/108289) — Al Jazeera, 2026-10-20
- [France’s decades-long Gulf ties built on ‘economic development, oil, defence agreements’](https://mins.news/en/video/108181) — France 24 English, 2026-10-20