Kuwait knows it can count on France: French envoy

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KUWAIT: French Ambassador to Kuwait Olivier Gauvin reaffirmed France’s unwavering and long-standing solidarity with Kuwait, stressing that the two ...

KUWAIT: French Ambassador to Kuwait Olivier Gauvin reaffirmed France’s unwavering and long-standing solidarity with Kuwait, stressing that the two countries’ strategic partnership remains strong and that France continues to stand alongside its allies in times of crisis. “Kuwait, like our partners, knows that it can count on France, a balancing power, a reliable ally in decisive moments, in 1990 as today,” Gauvin said during France’s National Day of Remembrance, marking the 108th anniversary of the Armistice of Nov 11, 1918.

Referring to the regional conflict that began on Feb 28, 2026, the ambassador recalled that France had provided concrete political, operational and military support to Kuwait from the earliest days of the crisis, reflecting the strength of the bilateral defense partnership formalized through the 1992 defense agreement. France’s political and military commitment was also underscored during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Kuwait on Oct 19, 2026, at the invitation of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Turning to the historical foundations of the bilateral relationship, Gauvin recalled the 35th anniversary of Operation Daguet, in which more than 18,000 French soldiers fought alongside their Kuwaiti brothers-in-arms and international coalition forces to liberate Kuwait following the Iraqi invasion in 1990. The ambassador paid solemn tribute to the 16 French service members who lost their lives during the 1990-1991 operation, the French contribution to the international Operation Desert Storm.

“This was an essential mission, and 35 years after the liberation of Kuwait, the friendship and partnership between our two countries remain as strong as ever,” he said. As a highlight of the commemoration, a memorial plaque bearing the names of the 16 French service members was unveiled at the French Residence, providing a permanent tribute to their sacrifice and their contribution to Kuwait’s…

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