Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh on Tuesday South African Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga.

During the meeting, they discussed relations between Saudi Arabia and South Africa and means of enhancing their defense cooperation.

Their discussions also covered regional and global developments and efforts made to address them as well as topics of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Several Saudi officials attended the meeting, including Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf and Chief of General Staff General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili.

South African officials who were present included National Defense Force Chief Rudzani Maphwanya.

In another major development, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received Tuesday French President Emmanuel Macron at Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

An official reception ceremony was held for President Macron.

HRH the Crown Prince and the French President held an extensive bilateral meeting.

According to SPA, both sides reviewed the relations between Saudi Arabia and France, along with joint efforts to enhance cooperation across various sectors.

They also discussed opportunities to invest in available resources in both countries to achieve mutual interests, regional and international developments, issues of common concern, and the efforts being made in this regard.

Following the meeting, HRH the Crown Prince and President Macron witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the formation of the Strategic Partnership Council between the governments of Saudi Arabia and France.

The MoU was signed by Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Jean-Noël Barrot, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.