Editing Foreign relations of France (section)

=== Modern history ===
The Middle East has been a major factor of France's foreign policy.<ref name=ECFR-10-04-2018>{{cite web|url=https://ecfr.eu/publication/alone_in_the_desert_how_france_can_lead_europe_in_the_middle_east/|title=Alone in the desert? How France can lead Europe in the Middle East|access-date=10 April 2018|website=The European Council on Foreign Relations|date=10 April 2018}}</ref> Over a decade since 2000, France successfully built an influential presence across the MENA region where the major focus had been on Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.<ref name=RFI-03-12-2021>{{cite web|url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20211203-why-france-and-the-middle-east-have-such-a-deep-and-lingering-past|title=Why France and the Middle East have such a deep and lingering past|access-date=3 December 2021|website=RFI|date=3 December 2021}}</ref> The Middle East policy of France was essential from the strategic, cultural and economic point of view, where the focus remained on proving itself as an international power.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vie-publique.fr/rapport/273264-rapport-sur-france-et-moyen-orient|title=Information report (...) on France and the Middle East  |access-date=29 January 2021|website=Vie Publique}}</ref> The country invested years in maintaining a strong foothold in the region on the lines of trade, security interests, and cultural and social exchanges.<ref name=RFI-03-12-2021 /> As Emmanuel Macron became the president in 2017, he gave a clear picture about the French relations with the Middle East and its importance, both in his foreign policy speeches and his initiatives. His predecessors, on the other hand, had mostly picked the option of "reassurance" with the region's governments. Gradually, France began to show increasing interest in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, particularly.<ref name=ECFR-10-04-2018 /> The country became actively supportive towards the two Arab nations in their involvement in the Yemen civil war, becoming one of the crucial arms suppliers. There had been a number of calls from the human rights organizations for France to halt their arms sales to both Saudi and the UAE, which were known for causing a humanitarian crisis in Yemen.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-france/pressure-mounts-on-macron-over-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-uae-idUSKBN1GY24I|title=Pressure mounts on Macron over arms sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE|access-date=22 March 2018|website=Reuters|date=22 March 2018}}</ref> Even in 2021, Macron continued taking initiatives towards strengthening relations with the Kingdom and the Emirates. During his visit to the region in November 2021, Macron signed a weapons deal worth 16 billion euros with the UAE. The agreement involved transfer of 80 upgraded Rafale warplanes, along with 12 Airbus-built combat helicopters. While France viewed it as a way to deepen ties with the Emirates, rights organizations criticized and raised concerns around the UAE's involvement in the Yemen and Libyan wars. They objected the deal stating that the Gulf leaders have reflected a constant failure in improving their human rights records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/12/02/france-should-stop-selling-arms-united-arab-emirates-saudi-arabia|title=France Should Stop Selling Arms to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia|access-date=2 December 2021|website=Human Rights Watch|date=2 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/business-middle-east-france-elections-europe-43bbf5b78be83a1012f18c795b5ab96b|title=France signs weapons mega-deal with UAE as Macron tours Gulf|access-date=3 December 2021|website=Associated Press|date=3 December 2021}}</ref>

Despite the improving relations between the Emirates and France, the UAE made extensive efforts towards to showcase its image in a positive light. In light of it, a Franco-Tunisian businessman, Elyes Ben Chedly reportedly ran promotion for two of the Emirates' cultural campaigns. Reports revealed that the middleman worked to promote the UAE's "Year of Tolerance" campaign, and was also involved in running the "year Zayed" program in Paris. Reports also revealed that Ben Chedly also used his network of arms contracts to mediate weapons deal between the UAE and other nations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/281121/un-intermediaire-en-ventes-d-armes-derriere-la-campagne-vantant-la-tolerance-des-emirats|title=An arms sales middleman behind the UAE's 'tolerance' campaign|access-date=28 November 2021|website=Mediapart|date=28 November 2021 }}</ref>

A report in March 2023 by Mediapart revealed that the UAE had been interfering in France by the means of a Switzerland-based intelligence firm Alp Services. A French journalist, [[Roland Jacquard]] connected Alp's head [[Mario Brero]] with the Emirati secret services client, identified as Mohammed. Jacquard maintained a close contact with a network of politicians and diplomats. He was directly in contact with Mohammed, whose emails revealed that Jacquard was supplying the UAE with information from the security services, Emmanuel Macron and the Élysée.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/france/040323/leaked-data-shows-extent-uaes-meddling-france|title=Leaked data shows extent of UAE's meddling in France|access-date=4 March 2023|website=MediaPart|date=4 March 2023 }}</ref>

France and Qatar have maintained diplomatic relations since Qatar declared independence in 1971.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=étrangères |first=Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires |title=France and Qatar |url=https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/qatar/france-and-qatar-65122/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=France Diplomacy - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs |language=en}}</ref> The bilateral partnership began to flourish in the early 1990s, focusing on security and hydrocarbon cooperation. TotalEnergies, present in Qatar since 1936, quickly emerged as a key collaborator with QatarEnergies in the extraction and development of the nation's hydrocarbon reserves.<ref name=":2" /> Additionally, various agreements have been executed between Qatar and France to bolster security measures for [[2024 Summer Olympics]] in Paris.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salari |first=Fatemeh |date=2024-02-29 |title=Qatari forces to help France secure Paris Olympics |url=https://dohanews.co/qatari-forces-to-help-france-secure-paris-olympics/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Doha News {{!}} Qatar |language=en-US}}</ref> In preparation for the significant security demands of the event, Poland has pledged to contribute troops, including sniffer dog handlers, to support international efforts aimed at ensuring the safety of the [[2024 Summer Olympics|Olympic Games in France]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poland to send troops to Paris Olympics amid security challenge |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/poland-send-troops-paris-olympics-amid-security-challenge-2024-03-28/}}</ref>