On Monday evening, December 4, 2024, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, warmly welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. The French president's visit was marked by an official reception ceremony, symbolizing the deepening ties between the two nations. Both leaders participated in an extensive and fruitful bilateral meeting, where they discussed a wide range of topics aimed at strengthening Saudi-French relations.
During the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his sincere welcome to President Macron and extended best wishes for a pleasant and productive stay in the Kingdom. In return, President Macron expressed his deep gratitude for the warm hospitality and the generous reception provided by the Saudi government and the people of the Kingdom. The exchange highlighted the strong, longstanding relationship between Saudi Arabia and France, reflecting a shared commitment to further enhancing their diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties.
The leaders discussed various opportunities for expanding cooperation in key sectors, such as energy, defense, technology, and trade, focusing on ways to leverage the available resources in both countries to serve mutual interests. They also touched on regional and international developments, including issues of common concern, where both nations share aligned goals. The discussions also revolved around strengthening efforts to address pressing global challenges, such as climate change, economic instability, and security threats.
A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a Strategic Partnership Council between the governments of Saudi Arabia and France. This historic MoU was signed by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot. The formation of this council marks a significant step in the deepening bilateral ties, providing a structured framework for collaboration across various strategic domains.
The signing ceremony was attended by a distinguished group of Saudi officials, including Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Cabinet Member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi, Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Public Investment Fund (PIF) Governor Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, and Saudi Ambassador to France Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili.
On the French side, the meeting was attended by a high-level delegation, including Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot; Minister of Culture Rachida Dati; Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu; Minister for Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate, and Risk Prevention Agnès Pannier-Runacher; Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry Antoine Armand; Ambassador of France to the Kingdom Patrick Maisonnave; Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic, General Fabien Mandon; and other senior officials. This broad representation underscores the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries and the diverse areas of collaboration that are being prioritized.
The visit is seen as a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to enhance the bilateral relationship between Saudi Arabia and France, building on existing ties and paving the way for a new era of cooperation. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing mutual interests and addressing regional and global challenges through collaborative efforts. This strengthened partnership is expected to yield significant benefits for both countries, enhancing their influence on the international stage and driving progress across a range of critical sectors.
