The Director-General of the French National Gendarmerie, HE General Christian Rodriguez, expressed France’s gratitude to Qatar for its significant contributions to security at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. He particularly thanked HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and HE Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for their roles in ensuring the success of the event. Rodriguez highlighted the strong strategic partnership between France and Qatar, especially in terms of security, which has continued to develop over the years. He emphasized the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in addressing future security challenges and utilizing new technologies.
During a state visit by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to France in February, major agreements were signed that further strengthened bilateral relations between the two countries. A significant action plan for 2024-2027 was signed by the Ministries of Interior in both countries, opening up new areas of cooperation such as judicial police, combating document fraud, and civil security. Additionally, a declaration of intent between the National Gendarmerie and Lekhwiya was signed to enhance their already close collaboration. This visit marked the culmination of a series of events that began with France’s support to Qatar during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
With the completion of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which were successfully secured with the assistance of Qatari security personnel working alongside French gendarmerie personnel, the Director-General praised Qatar’s exceptional collaboration. He commended the Qatari athletes who participated in the games and highlighted the strong cooperation between Qatar and France during major sporting events. The French security forces are trained to handle challenging situations while upholding the law and respecting fundamental freedoms and rights. In light of new homeland security challenges, including artificial intelligence, Rodriguez emphasized the importance of utilizing new technologies to enhance public safety.
As the world looks towards combating emerging security threats, the Director-General of the French National Gendarmerie underlined the significance of adapting to future risks and harnessing new technologies. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between nations in addressing these challenges and highlighted the critical role of artificial intelligence in homeland security efforts. The enduring partnership between France and Qatar in the field of security was showcased during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, where the two countries worked together to ensure the safety and success of the event. This collaboration is indicative of the trust and friendship shared between France and Qatar, which have been solidified through years of joint security efforts and strategic cooperation.
