Bahrain, France Seal Civilian Nuclear Pact During Macron Gulf Tour
(MENAFN) Bahrain and France signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday on peaceful nuclear energy cooperation, a deal designed to build the skills and expertise needed for a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom.
The memorandum was signed at the close of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Manama, where he held talks with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s state news agency reported. Both leaders witnessed the signing between Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry and France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
The agreement seeks to build and sustain the expertise and capabilities Bahrain’s civilian nuclear program requires through specialized training initiatives, the state news agency said.
In their talks, King Hamad and Macron discussed deeper strategic cooperation in investment, economic development, defense, sustainable development and advanced technology. They also traded views on regional and international developments, with a focus on the Middle East situation and efforts to tackle ongoing challenges.
King Hamad welcomed progress in bilateral relations and pointed to a defense cooperation agreement signed during his February visit to France as a step toward wider collaboration in security, energy and technology. He also underscored the importance of respecting state sovereignty, upholding international law and resolving crises through dialogue.
Macron urged broader cooperation on defense capabilities and military industries and called for stronger energy ties, the state news agency said.
The French president then left Manama for Doha, arriving Tuesday evening, according to Qatar’s state news agency.
Macron’s Gulf tour, running Oct. 19-21, has also taken him to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The French presidency said the trip is intended to strengthen strategic and economic partnerships and promote regional stability, energy security and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The tour comes amid regional tensions after the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. Washington later imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The memorandum was signed at the close of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Manama, where he held talks with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s state news agency reported. Both leaders witnessed the signing between Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry and France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
The agreement seeks to build and sustain the expertise and capabilities Bahrain’s civilian nuclear program requires through specialized training initiatives, the state news agency said.
In their talks, King Hamad and Macron discussed deeper strategic cooperation in investment, economic development, defense, sustainable development and advanced technology. They also traded views on regional and international developments, with a focus on the Middle East situation and efforts to tackle ongoing challenges.
King Hamad welcomed progress in bilateral relations and pointed to a defense cooperation agreement signed during his February visit to France as a step toward wider collaboration in security, energy and technology. He also underscored the importance of respecting state sovereignty, upholding international law and resolving crises through dialogue.
Macron urged broader cooperation on defense capabilities and military industries and called for stronger energy ties, the state news agency said.
The French president then left Manama for Doha, arriving Tuesday evening, according to Qatar’s state news agency.
Macron’s Gulf tour, running Oct. 19-21, has also taken him to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The French presidency said the trip is intended to strengthen strategic and economic partnerships and promote regional stability, energy security and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The tour comes amid regional tensions after the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. Washington later imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
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