Macron secures diesel deals on Gulf visit as fuel prices stoke unrest in France
French President Emmanuel Macron has secured the delivery of an additional 200,000 tonnes of diesel per month from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain during a tour of the Gulf, the French presidency said Tuesday.
He obtained commitments for around 100,000 tonnes per month from the Emirates, while an additional 100,000 tonnes monthly will be secured during a stop in Bahrain later in the day, the Elysee Palace said.
With the addition of deliveries from Saudi Arabia, France has commitments for 295,000 tonnes per month, representing just over 10 percent of its consumption, the presidency added.
Macron is undertaking a tour of key energy suppliers in the Gulf in an effort to secure oil and diesel supplies and bring down prices in France, after a weekend of violent protests sparked by soaring living costs.
Read moreAnger at rising fuel prices bolsters Europe's far right as unrest sweeps France
He is visiting the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar, all of which have been thrown into turmoil since February by the US-Iran war.
Crude oil prices have ballooned during the eight-month conflict, as Iran blockades the Strait of Hormuz – the main exit route for the Gulf's energy exports.
The G7 countries, chaired this year by France, agreed in early October to draw up to 100 million barrels of oil from their strategic reserves to ease pressure.
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Kuwait has also given "very clear commitments" to deliver diesel and kerosene to the French overseas territories of Mayotte and Réunion in the Indian Ocean, the French presidency said.
The shipments will be sent via Oman, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, it added.
Talks are underway with countries in the region to bring down maritime insurance prices so that companies can ship greater quantities through the strait at lower cost, the palace said.
"In this way, we are strengthening our energy security with these long-term commitments from our partners," it said.
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