Macron's state visit to Doha ends with a France–Qatar Letter of Intent on defence security guarantees
21 October 2026
President Emmanuel Macron paid a state visit to Doha on 20 and 21 October and held talks with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar. A joint statement said their defence cooperation led to a Letter of Intent on defence security guarantees and stability in the Middle East. A second Letter of Intent picks KNDS France and John Cockerill Defense to modernise the Qatar Amiri Land Forces. Both countries fly the French-built Rafale, and air-force cooperation will grow with added capabilities for the Qatar Amiri Air Force. The fourth bilateral strategic dialogue was held alongside the visit, co-chaired by Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The statement noted investments by the Qatar Investment Authority, including through the French Future Champions Fund it runs jointly with Bpifrance. The two leaders also backed closer ties between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
In plain words
State visit — The highest level of official visit by a head of state, made at the host head of state's invitation.
Letter of Intent — A document recording what two parties plan to do, usually ahead of a binding agreement.
QIA Qatar Investment Authority — Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, which invests the state's surplus revenue abroad.
Bpifrance Banque publique d'investissement — France's public investment bank, which finances French companies.
GCC Gulf Cooperation Council — A bloc of six Gulf Arab states: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.