Macron arrives in Riyadh and signs a strategic partnership agreement with Bin Salmán

MADRID Dec. 3 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, held a meeting this Monday with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohamed bin Salmán, as part of his three-day state visit, in which both have highlighted the good relations between the two countries translated in the signing of the “strategic partnership”, with the search for contracts for French companies and the sale of combat aircraft to the Saudi Army.

“The two leaders congratulated each other on the signing of the strategic partnership between France and Saudi Arabia, which will result in reinforced cooperation and concrete achievements in all areas, such as defence, energy transition, culture, mobility between two countries and the organization of major events,” reads a press release issued from the Elysée.

The Saudi delegation, for its part, welcomed the signing of this “memorandum of understanding” that will allow “improving cooperation” between the two countries and “investing available resources to achieve common interests.”

In addition to discussing bilateral issues, the political agenda of Macron’s visit to Riyadh is marked by tension in the Middle East and, in particular, the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon announced last week.

In this sense, the two leaders have assured that “diplomatic efforts will continue to consolidate” this agreement. Likewise, both have called on Lebanese politicians to hold presidential elections in the country, “with the aim of uniting the Lebanese and carrying out the reforms necessary for the stability and security of” the Arab republic.

Salmán and Macron have spoken about the situation in the area and have agreed to do “everything possible” towards a “de-escalation” of hostilities between the actors. “The priority of the President of the Republic and the Crown Prince is to establish without further delay a ceasefire in Gaza, in order to free all the hostages, protect the civilian population through the delivery of humanitarian aid and contribute to the search of a political solution based on the two-state solution,” the statement reads.

In another vein, the French president thanked the Saudi prince for organizing the “One Water” Summit on sustainable solutions for the distribution and governance of water resources, in Riyadh. A high-level meeting that takes place until December 13, chaired by France and Kazakhstan, under the auspices of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).