Saudi Arabia and France enjoy a strong partnership and unique friendship 

PARIS: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made an official visit to France, expected to bolster bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries on the regional and international stage. The visit is also expected to address growing challenges, which require allies and friends to cooperate now more than ever.

Furthermore, it has come at a time when these threats appear to be increasing. The most prominent of these, until recently at least, was the COVID-19 pandemic, which has ravaged the world and shaken the lives of its citizens indiscriminately. The damage persists. 

In addition, there is the Ukraine crisis and its repercussions. The crown prince has previously expressed, during meetings with many heads of state, that the Kingdom supports all efforts to resolve the dispute through peaceful means and dialogue.

Saudi Arabia has also expressed its readiness to mediate between the two parties and to support any political and diplomatic efforts aimed at halting escalation in the interests of security and stability. Moreover, the crown prince has conveyed the Kingdom’s keenness to maintain the balance and stability of oil markets.

Saudi Arabia has contributed to the provision of medical assistance and shelter to Ukrainian refugees. In this regard, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has signed two joint cooperation agreements, worth $10 million, with the World Health Organization and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

When it comes to bilateral cooperation, Saudi-French relations are witnessing significant growth and development, reflected through a strong partnership and unique friendship in politics, security, the economy and culture. 

This partnership expands to cover numerous fields that are getting wider and more permanent. There is, nevertheless, still room to explore, deepen and consolidate broader opportunities.

These relations have witnessed a significant leap in the past few years in light of Vision 2030, which was launched in 2016 and provides the Kingdom with a wider path towards a sustainable and prosperous future, under the auspices of its leadership and in line with the aspirations of its people. 

It has also provided the Kingdom with an opportunity to promote cooperation with France and many other friends in the sciences, through transferring technology, establishing partnerships, training human resources, shifting towards sustainable development, renewable energy and building a knowledge economy.

It is, perhaps, a fortunate coincidence that this visit came less than two weeks after the French people celebrated their National Day on July 14, when King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman extended their congratulations to President Emmanuel Macron, wishing the French Republic continuous progress and prosperity. 

The visit also came three months after Macron’s re-election, for which King Salman and the crown prince expressed their best wishes to him and the republic.

Additionally, the unique personal relations between the leaderships of both countries have always constituted a unique characteristic of Saudi-French ties.

Barely a few months have passed without a high-level visit between the two countries. These relations witnessed a big leap during the crown prince’s historic 2018 visit to France, when Macron warmly welcomed him, paving the way for a new era of cooperation and partnership between the two countries. 

As for France, there was the president’s visit to the Kingdom last December, when he was also warmly welcomed by the crown prince. 

This visit contributed, in its turn, to strengthening relations between the two countries, as it saw the signing of numerous agreements and memoranda of understanding, as well as the reiteration of the frameworks for bilateral cooperation and coordination on all issues of common interest.

The crown prince’s visit to France this week came as an extension of these strong, ongoing ties that have been at work for decades.

There are still significant opportunities and a promising future in regard to promoting cooperation and partnerships between the two countries, on the bilateral and multilateral fronts. 

Moreover, as the Saudi ambassador to France, I am honored to contribute, through my humble efforts, to implementing some of the steps of this partnership on a strong and sustainable foundation.

It is, perhaps, worth noting that the Saudi and French peoples, despite the geographical distance separating them, have a lot in common. They both have an ancient civilization with a great history and deep human content. 

They both love the arts, archaeology and history. In addition, they both strive to preserve their culture and are proud of its authenticity and unity. They are both friends of the environment, nature and wildlife. Furthermore, they both love development, openness and progress.

 

It is, perhaps, worth noting that the Saudi and French peoples, despite the geographical distance separating them, have a lot in common.

Fahad Al-Ruwaily

This is what, in turn, has helped develop the cultural and technical cooperation between the two countries, which extends to cover many fields, such as culture and archaeology. 

The most prominent example is, perhaps, the development of AlUla region in the northwest of the Kingdom, covering a vast area that is rich in heritage and invaluable archaeological sites and antiquities, some of which date back 7,000 years, in addition to its natural diversity and wonderful geographical formations. 

Experts expect this distinguished location, at the crossroads of three major continents, to become the largest open museum in the world. 

Last year, the two countries signed, through their respective ministries of culture, a MoU aimed at strengthening cooperation and cultural exchange in many sectors, namely heritage, audiovisual cultural production, architecture, design, films and literature. 

France also hosts the Arab World Institute, which is jointly financed by its government and Arab countries, with Jack Lang, one of the most prominent French cultural figures and former minister of culture, at its helm. 

The institute contributes significantly to introducing Arab culture and civilization to the French public and organizes many events and exhibitions throughout the year. Within the institute is a center dedicated to teaching the Arabic language, which provides students with an accredited certificate.

The institute also boasts a beautiful Arab antiquities museum that is currently being expanded and its content increased. Cooperation also exists in the museums, arts, music, cinema, fashion and perfume sectors. 

Last, but not least, comes the culinary arts, as the Cordon Bleu Institute, considered among the most prestigious cooking institutes in the world, will soon inaugurate a branch in Saudi Arabia, with a number of Saudi nationals among its 70-nation strong student body.

At the multilateral level, the two countries are active members in numerous international mechanisms and organizations that aim to cooperate on strengthening global security, stability and well-being. 

They are both members of the G20, through which the 20 strongest economies in the world cooperate to help the wider family of nations develop and overcome threats and crises. 

This was evident during the G20 Summit headed by the Kingdom in 2020, which was held during one of the most difficult periods in recent history, prompted by the spread of COVID-19. 

The summit succeeded in allocating the necessary support for affected countries and relevant international organizations to help them address the pandemic and alleviate its devastating economic repercussions. 

In addition, France hosts several international organizations of which the Kingdom is a member, primarily UNESCO, Interpol and the Bureau International des Expositions, which is the international organization in charge of coordinating and holding World Expo. 

At the end of 2021, the Kingdom announced its candidacy to host Expo 2030, the year that coincides with the conclusion of Saudi Vision 2030 and the year during which the Saudi people will celebrate its success, marking a new era in the country’s modern history. 

Saudi Arabia’s candidacy has received the support of several countries. We look forward to winning this bid and holding an everlasting and unique exhibition that remains a milestone for generations, similar to the Eiffel Tower, which was built on the occasion of the Exposition Universelle of 1889 and remains an eternal symbol of Parisian beauty and magic. 

There is no doubt that everyone is looking forward to the results of the crown prince’s visit in regard to the efforts of the two countries’ leaderships to serve the common interests of their friendly nations and peoples, while enhancing their permanent cooperation and partnership. 

• Fahad bin Maayouf Al-Ruwaily is Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to France.