His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended an official dinner hosted by President of the French Republic HE Emmanuel Macron, in honor of His Highness and the accompanying delegation at the Elysee Palace.

At the beginning of the banquet, the French president delivered a speech in which he welcomed His Highness the Amir and the accompanying delegation, expressing the French Republic’s welcome and honour for this visit, and his great personal happiness with it.

He also praised the achievements in bilateral relations over the past years, reiterating his thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Amir for the diplomatic efforts of Qatar, regionally and internationally.

For his part, in a speech on this occasion, His Highness the Amir expressed his deep appreciation to the French president for the warm reception received by His Highness and his accompanying delegation, stressing his keenness to continue joint work to consolidate bilateral relations at all levels, for the good and interest of the two friendly peoples.

His Highness the Amir also stressed what was agreed upon during the official discussions to increase Qatar’s investments in France to 10 billion euros in the coming years, which will be directed to strengthening strategic economic partnerships between the two countries. During the speech, His Highness the Amir praised the city of Paris’s preparations to host the 2024 Paris Olympics next summer, expressing Qatar’s aspiration to cooperate in the success of organising this global sporting event.

During the official dinner ceremony, His Highness the Amir was awarded the Legion of Honor with the rank of ‘Knight’ by the French President in appreciation of His Highness’s efforts in strengthening friendly relations between the two countries.

For his part, His Highness the Amir granted the French President the Founder’s Sword of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, as an embodiment of his role in supporting and developing relations between the two countries.

The official dinner was attended by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and several members of the official delegation accompanying His Highness the Amir, businessmen and senior officials.

On the French side, it was attended by several members of the Senate and the National Assembly, businessmen and senior officials.