Joint statement issued on Joint Bahraini-French High Committee meeting

Paris, July 24 (BNA): A high level meeting was held between Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Jean Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in Paris.

The two ministers discussed regional and international developments and reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding the rules based international order and to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East. They also underlined their readiness to enhance coordination on regional and global challenges and expressed anticipation for cooperation within the United Nations Security Council, following Bahrain’s election as a non-permanent member starting in January 2026.

Following the meeting, the ministers jointly opened the fourth session of the Joint Bahraini-French High Committee, co-chaired by Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalifa, Director General of Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, and Romaric Roignan, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

The session brought together senior officials and representatives from relevant government entities in both countries and provided a platform to review progress made in cooperation across multiple domains.

Both sides highlighted the importance of advancing cooperation in strategic sectors such as investment and trade, in support of sustainable economic development and energy transition. They reiterated their shared interest in further strengthening collaboration in these fields.

They also emphasised the significance of cultural and educational cooperation and welcomed the forthcoming deployment of French expertise to support the long term promotion of the French language in Bahrain.

The Kingdom of Bahrain and the French Republic underscored their commitment to sustaining a mutually beneficial partnership and highlighted the importance of encouraging high level visits and exchanges to further deepen relations.

Both countries expressed their anticipation to review progress in these areas during the next meeting of the Higher Joint Committee, scheduled to be held in Bahrain in 2026.