Qatar and France call for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in a joint statement

21 October 2026

Qatar and France issued a joint statement on 21 October 2026 after President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Doha from 20 to 21 October 2026 at the invitation of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The two leaders stressed restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz without constraints or fees. They called for Israeli forces to withdraw in accordance with the agreed arrangements in Gaza and for urgent, safe and unhindered humanitarian aid. They opposed any annexation in the West Bank and called for an end to settlement policies and settler violence. On Lebanon they backed full implementation of the Trilateral Framework Agreement. They also said they were ready to support stabilisation and economic recovery projects with Syrian authorities, and agreed to expand defence, security and economic cooperation.