PARIS — Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will meet Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée palace in Paris on Wednesday afternoon, according to the French president’s office.
The visit comes amid a major corruption scandal involving European Parliament members who are alleged to have been illegally influenced by Qatari officials. The scandal brought historically close ties between France and Qatar into focus.
Macron and the Qatari ruler will discuss “strengthening the partnership between [the two] countries to face regional and world challenges,” the Elysée said in a note.
Energy and imports of liquefied natural gas will also be on the agenda according to Sihem Souid, a lobbyist representing Qatari interests in France.
The emir will also attend a Champions League football match between Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in Paris on Tuesday, the same lobbyist said.
The emir also visited Italy on Monday.
On Thursday, Qatar’s vice prime minister and head of the emirate’s sovereign fund Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will have lunch with France’s Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire. The two will discuss “investments” and France’s “attractiveness,” a French economy ministry official said, noting that the lunch is a follow-up to Le Maire’s Qatar visit last month.
