French Defense Minister Jean-Yves le Drian confirmed that bilateral relations between France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are deep-rooted in history, lauding the cooperation between the two countries in the defense and military fields.

In a press statement prior to departure at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Riyadh Tuesday following an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the French Defense Minister expressed pleasure and gratitude to have met the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

“It's a great honor to me as a Minister to have an audience with the Monarch”, he said, noting that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has sent, during the meeting, a message of friendship to the French President François Hollande.He also expressed happiness to have held talks with Saudi senior officials, led by Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, as well as Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Defense.

The French Defense Minister said that, during the visit, the strategic partnership was reviewed, expressing satisfaction over the identity of view points of the two countries as regards bilateral cooperation in the defense and military fields and the continuation of future cooperation between the two friendly countries in the field of naval training and exercises between the French and Saudi Forces.

As regards, the Syrian crisis, Jean-Yves le Drian said the issue was reviewed during the talks with Saudi officials reflecting a great deal of identical views between France and Saudi Arabia , confirming the importance of continuing the partnership and political approach between the two countries as far as the security of the region is concerned.

Le Drian said France is seeking, with its partners, to have a political solution to the conflict in Syria through a transitional government to be elected after holding Geneva II conference.

The French Defense Minister expressed hope that Geneva II turns a success, noting that work is underway to hold a conference that will bring an end to the current impasse and preserve the territories of Syria, noting that France supports the Syrian Coalition politically, militarily and humanitarianly.

On the situation in Iran, the Minister commented: “we have noted some kind of development in the Iranian address following the election of President Rohani, indicating a national will and international openness'. This address is not enough as it should be translated into action exactly as my colleague the French Foreign Minister has said.”

France is negotiating large defense contracts with the oil-rich Kingdom.

Le Drian said the Saudi side confirmed to him that a 1.1billion Euros ($1.49 billion) contract to overhaul four frigates and two refueling ships, in service since the 1980s, had “entered into effect on October 7.”

The work would involve French weapons and systems makers, DCNS, Thales and MBDA, he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing regarding another contract that could amount to 2 billion Euros ($2.72 billion) for modernizing Saudi air defenses.

It would involve supplying Saudi Arabia with new generation Crotale surface-to-air rockets, produced by Thales.

Le Drian is on his third visit to Saudi Arabia since May last year.