France’s President Macron welcomes Saudi crown prince to Elysee Palace

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French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Thursday July 28, 2022. (AP)
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Updated 29 July 2022
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France’s President Macron welcomes Saudi crown prince to Elysee Palace

  • Warm handshake at Elysee Palace between prince and president
  • Discussions focus on energy security, regional crises

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Elysée Palace in Paris on Thursday on the second leg of his European tour.

Macron greeted the crown prince with a warm handshake as the two men posed on the red carpet for photographers before going inside to hold talks over a private dinner.

Earlier, a delegation of senior Saudi ministers — led by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Minister of State Musaid Al-Aiban — had arrived at the Elysée for separate talks with their French counterparts.




Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s accompanying delegation arrives at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday. (AFP)

The crown prince’s visit to France follows a trip to Greece earlier in the week, and comes two weeks after he held talks in Saudi Arabia with US President Joe Biden.

The West is keen to reset relations with the Kingdom as it seeks to counter the rising regional influence of Iran, Russia and China.

France and other European countries are also looking to diversify their sources of energy following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has led to Moscow cutting gas supplies to Europe.

This visit “falls within an international context that we all know, which is that of Russian aggression against Ukraine, and its repercussions on food and energy security,” a French presidential adviser said.

“It also falls within a regional context characterized by crises and threats that persist in many of the region’s countries.




French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Thursday July 28, 2022. (SPA)

“Therefore, the president will discuss the issue of the European countries’ energy supplies with the crown prince, reiterating our needs in this area. President Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will also tackle the issue of fighting terrorism, which continues to constitute a significant threat in the Middle East with its possible consequences in Europe.

“In addition, the president and the crown prince will discuss the regional crises and the need for security. Of course, the regional crises include the issue of Iran’s nuclear program. However, they also cover the situation in Yemen, Iraq and, of course, Lebanon.”

Former French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette said the crown prince’s visit was of geopolitical significance amid a flurry of diplomatic activity in the Middle East.




French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Thursday July 28, 2022. (SPA)

“This is the crown prince’s first official reception by one of the heads of state of members of the Security Council,” he said.

“It is therefore a meaningful event for the two partners who already know each other and have been able to establish useful links. “In the complicated game that is now being played out in the Middle East, it is a way for them to affirm their desire to be fully in- volved, one on behalf of the lead- ing country of the Arab states of the Gulf and the Middle East, the other representing the most prominent country in the EU.”


Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement

Updated 18 March 2025
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Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement

  • Initiative part of government’s efforts to improve quality of life, enhance standard of living

RIYADH: The Saudi leadership has approved the disbursement of over SR3 billion ($800 million) to social security beneficiaries as part of an aid initiative during the holy month of Ramadan.

Under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the scheme will address the needs of beneficiary families and fulfill their requirements during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Over SR3 billion will be given as follows: each breadwinner will receive SR1,000, and each dependent in the household will receive SR500. The funds will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries on Tuesday, March 18, the SPA said.

Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for helping to provide citizens with a decent livelihood.

The initiative is part of the Saudi government’s efforts to improve the quality of life and enhance the standard of living for social security beneficiaries, especially during Ramadan, the SPA added.


Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

Updated 18 March 2025
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Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

  • Number iftar meals provided during Ramadan to has increased this year due to growth in the number of Umrah pilgrims at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, officials say

MAKKAH: Saudi authorities provided almost 11 million iftar meals to Umrah pilgrims and other worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina during the first half of Ramadan.

The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said on Monday, the 17th day of Ramadan, it has provided 10,822,999 iftar meals and 10,290,000 packets of dates so far during the holy month, which is a time of worship for Muslims during which they fast from sunrise to sunset.

The authority said the number of iftar meals it provides during Ramadan to pilgrims performing Umrah, and other visitors to the mosques, has increased this year due to growth in the number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The food is served in designated iftar areas at the mosques, in adherence with strict health standards to ensure the safety of worshippers, it added.

In the run-up to the holy month, the authority introduced an online service through which individuals, charitable organizations and endowments could submit requests to donate iftar meals at the Grand Mosque, the SPA added.


Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia are awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. SPA
Updated 17 March 2025
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Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

  • Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom

RIYADH: The Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia were awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. 

Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji awarded the sashes on the directive of King Salman, SPA added. 


Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

Updated 17 March 2025
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Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

  • The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission

RIYADH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Academy (ZADC) was awarded a full institutional accreditation certificate on Sunday, with the support of Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province.

The recognition was granted during the inauguration ceremony of the academy’s new building on March 16.

The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to implement institutional accreditation processes.

The achievement underscored ZADC’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence in culinary education and training.

By equipping national talents with specialized skills, the academy aims to contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The achievement also aligns with the broader efforts of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to ensure quality and excellence in education and training institutions across the Kingdom.


Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

Updated 17 March 2025
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Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

  • Several senior ministry officials attended

RIYADH: Under the patronage of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Foreign Ministry hosted a gathering of the heads of diplomatic missions, regional offices, and international organizations accredited to the Kingdom to mark the holy month of Ramadan.

The ministry hosted an iftar reception at its headquarters in Riyadh, and those attending, which included several senior ministry officials, exchanged Ramadan greetings and engaged in cordial discussions, enhancing communication with diplomatic missions in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.