Saudi Arabia and France issued a joint statement to mark the state visit His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense, has concluded to France on 9-10 April 2018, as follows:
HRH the Crown Prince met with President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Defense Florence Parly and Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire.
President Macron, HRH Crown Prince co-chaired the first meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council, which was attended by a number of ministers and senior officials of the two governments. The Crown Prince’s visit was an opportunity to celebrate the long history of friendship and cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France.
The two countries’ commitments will open a new and promising chapter in their relationship within framework of developing a new strategic partnership covering the political, defense, security, economic, cultural, scientific and educational areas of their relationship into new horizons.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France share a common objective to realize peace and stability, in the Middle East. The ministers of foreign affairs, in the two countries will work towards deepening consultations and coordination to back up political solutions.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France will work towards tackling world challenges facing international community, including climate change and human development and the joint action of the two countries will decisively contribute to these domains.
Defense and Security:
The wide-scale and multi-faceted security cooperation, has made counterterrorism a priority to both Saudi Arabia and France, with especial interest in combating terrorism and terrorism funding, and that their close cooperation, in this regard, will expand regional efforts as well as multi-partite endeavors and making them more effective and they will work towards making Paris Conference to combat terrorism funding, set to take place on 25-26 April, a success.
France, also, will contribute to back up Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to upgrade its Ministry of Defense.
Economy, Commerce and Investment:
Deepening commerce and investment is beneficial to the two countries’ economies, as the Kingdom Vision 2030 is an opportunity to explore new domains, in business and cooperation in the main sectors for cooperation such as water and environment, connected sustainable cities, transport, energy, health, agriculture and water supply.
The French know-how in the domain of technology is of a great importance for all domains, as its impact would be tangible, in all fields and the financial investments between big and upstart companies, will be encouraged.
During the visit, a forum for Saudi and France chief executive officers has been held and attended by executives from the two countries.
The forum facilitated presenting offers and making in-depth discussions related to the Kingdom Vision 2030 projects and instituted significant communication between the two parties, culminating in co-signing of a host of contracts and MoUs reflecting the new dynamics of economic as well as technological bonds between the two countries.
On Thursday, HRH the Crown Prince arrived to Madrid on a state visit to the Kingdom of Spain upon directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and in response to an invitation of the Government of the Spanish Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Upon arrival, he was received by Prince Mansour bin Khaled bin Farhan, Saudi Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain; Spanish Defense Minister Maria Dolores Cospedal; Spanish Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Albaro Erantho and a number of senior officials from the two countries.
The official delegation of HRH Crown Prince included Minister of State and Cabinet's Member Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban; Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi; Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir; Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Engineer Khalid Al-Falih; Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad Al-Awwad and Chief of General Intelligence Khalid Al-Humaidan.
The accompanying delegation also included Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al-Farhan, Governor of Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate, Prince Mansour bin Khaled bin Farhan, Saudi Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Nizar bin Obaid Madani; Advisor at the Cabinet’s General Secretariat Ahmed Al-Khatib, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of Defense Minister’s Office Fahd Al-Issa, Advisor at the Cabinet’s General Secretariat Yasser Al-Rumian, Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili, and President of Special Affairs of HRH Crown Prince Thamer Nasif.
