French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday said that France "would always support Kuwait" in the event its security is threatened. He also stressed that France would assume its responsibilities to ensure the security and stability of the Gulf region.
Sarkozy made the pledge as he received Kuwaiti Prime Minister Shaikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al Ahmad Al Sabah at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
Talks focused on "the strategic partnership" between the two countries, especially nuclear cooperation and economic relations, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) said.
The two countries are set to sign a civil nuclear cooperation agreement during the premier’s visit. Accords on the environment, durable development and diplomatic cooperation will also be signed.
Diplomatic sources said that Sarkozy "recalled the robust friendship that was forged by the French in their commitment to Kuwait at the time of the Iraqi invasion and the Gulf war" in 1990.
The two countries are linked by a defence accord signed in 1992 and updated in October 2009.
Sarkozy said that the French base in Abu Dhabi was a further indication that France was ready to "assume its responsibilities for the security and stability of the region which is essential for world balance."
France is pleased that progress was being made in the political, economic, defence, cultural or industrial relations between Paris and Kuwait City and that there is success in the "transfer of competence and training programmes.”
France is also willing to develop an electronuclear affiliate in Kuwait and furnish a complete cycle service that would include an EPR reactor and fuel and reprocessing, KUNA said.
