Current affairs forms an important component of several competitive exams such as the UPSC Civil Services Examination, SSC CGL, Bank PO & PSU entrance tests, etc. Therefore, understanding terms/concepts/events that are in the news is critical for aspirants. We at PaGaLGuY bring you this series of articles in which we shall explain some of these important concepts/events for you.

In this article, we take a look at French president Francois Hollande’s visit to GCC summit & France – Qatar Rafale jet deal. 

French President Francois Hollande will become the first foreign head of state to attend a summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in Riyadh.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic union consisting of all Arab states of the Persian Gulf region, except Iraq. Its member states are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

           Hollande first held talks with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, focusing mainly on the turmoil in the Middle East with specific reference to Yemen, Iran, Syria and Iraq.

The visit was significant as France seeks to strengthen political and business ties with the energy-rich Gulf nations and looks forward to finalise a lasting nuclear deal with Iran by the end of June. The six- nation GCC summit also discussed about tensions in the Middle East, especially conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Libya, as well as concerns of Iran’s growing influence in the area. France fully supported the Arab coalition’s operations in the war-torn country of Yemen.

           Another highlight in the French president’s two-day visit was the France-Qatar deal regarding the ‘Rafale fighter jets’. French aerospace firm Dassault has signed the € 6.3-billion      ($ 7-billion) deal with the Qatari defence officials in Doha. This agreement includes an order for 24 Rafale fighter jets, with an option for an additional 12 jets. This is the third contract this year for Dassault after their earlier deals to sell Rafale jets to Egypt and India. 

           A separate bilateral agreement between both the countries includes MBDA missiles, and the training of 36 Qatari pilots, Qatari intelligence officers and 100 technicians by the French military. Both the countries agreed on further mutual cooperation in military defence including possible training deals.