Emmanuel Macron landed in Doha on Tuesday for a two-day state visit, where Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, greeted him with full ceremonial honours, including cannon salvoes and a cavalry procession. The French president’s plane was escorted by Qatari fighter jets before touching down at Hamad International Airport, and a motorcade carried him through the capital to Lusail Palace for talks.
The visit is the final leg of a Gulf tour that has already taken Macron to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain. At the heart of the discussions are energy security, defence cooperation and regional stability, as well as investment opportunities. French business leaders, including TotalEnergies chief executive Patrick Pouyanné, are part of the delegation, reflecting the deep commercial ties between Paris and Doha.
Energy pledges and domestic pressure
The Élysée Palace said the tour has secured commitments for additional diesel supplies: roughly 100,000 tonnes per month each from the UAE and Bahrain, and with Saudi Arabia included, the total reaches 295,000 tonnes monthly—just over 10 percent of France’s consumption. Macron has said these supplies are intended to help ease fuel prices for French consumers, who have been hit by rising costs of living.
The trip comes as France grapples with the aftermath of violent protests over fuel prices and economic hardship. In a televised address on Sunday, Macron acknowledged the grievances and promised to work with fuel distributors to ensure the new supplies translate into lower prices at the pump. The unrest has been the worst in years, with Macron facing sharp criticism over his handling of the crisis.
Qatar’s foreign ministry said the talks would be followed by a strategic dialogue on Wednesday covering energy, the economy, investment and defence. Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi, the ministry’s director of media and communication, described France as a friend and ally, and highlighted its support during the Iran war, when French fighter jets helped secure Qatar’s air defence. That history of cooperation is expected to underpin the new agreements.
For Macron, the Gulf tour is a balancing act: securing energy supplies to calm domestic anger while maintaining France’s role as a regional power broker. The visit also signals the importance of Gulf partners in Europe’s energy diversification efforts, especially as the continent seeks alternatives to Russian gas.
Beyond energy, the two countries are likely to discuss investment in infrastructure, technology and defence. TotalEnergies already has a major stake in Qatar’s North Field East gas expansion project, and further partnerships are expected. The French president’s delegation includes executives from several large companies, indicating that economic diplomacy is a key pillar of the visit.
However, the domestic backdrop remains tense. France is preparing to deploy soldiers ahead of possible further protests, and authorities are working to prevent a repeat of the looting and destruction seen in Paris and other cities. Macron’s ability to deliver tangible relief on fuel prices will be closely watched by voters and opposition leaders alike.
The visit to Qatar is also part of a broader European effort to engage with the Gulf. While France takes the lead, other EU members are seeking similar energy and security partnerships. The outcome of Macron’s tour could set a template for how Europe balances its energy needs with its strategic interests in the region.
