His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense, met in Paris on Monday with French Minister of Defense Florence Barley, the Saudi News Agency (SPA) reported.
The meeting reviewed the bilateral relations and areas of strategic cooperation between the two countries and means of developing them, especially in the defense and military aspects, and the promising opportunities in accordance with the vision of the Kingdom of 2030.
In addition, both sides discussed latest developments in the Middle East and the world, including efforts to combat terrorism and combat extremism.
Following the meeting, a number of memorandums and agreements for defense cooperation between the two countries were signed for the development of the Saudi Arabian forces and the transfer of technology in accordance with the vision of the Kingdom of 2030, providing training and creating job opportunities in both countries and completing the necessary measures to support the joint force of Sahel African counter-terrorist organizations.
HRH Prince Mohammed arrived in Paris on Sunday for a three-day visit, on the latest leg of an international tour taking the Saudi Royal to the US, UK, Egypt and now France where he also met with French President Emmanuel Macron, and other French Ministers.
A French Defense Ministry official said on Sunday that France and Saudi Arabia have agreed a new intergovernmental accord to conclude weapons deals, Reuters reported.
The agreement replaces a process that had been criticized by the Saudi Crown Prince. Sources said the Prince wanted to make a break from past processes.
“In conjunction with the Saudi authorities, France has initiated a new arms export strategy with Saudi Arabia, which until now has been managed by ODAS,” the official said, referring to the organization that currently handles French defense interests in Saudi Arabia.
“It will now be covered by an intergovernmental agreement between the two countries. The ODAS company will only provide for the termination of existing contracts.”
The official did not elaborate.
France, the world’s third-biggest arms exporter, counts Saudi Arabia among its biggest purchasers, and defense firms including Dassault and Thales have major contracts there.
In recent years, Riyadh has bought French tanks, armored vehicles, munitions and artillery and navy ships.
HRH Prince Mohammed arrived in Paris on Sunday for a three-day visit, on the latest leg of an international tour taking the Saudi Royal to the US, UK, Egypt and now France where he also met with French President Emmanuel Macron, and other French Ministers.
