Focus on the partnership of Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia during his visit to France

Paris: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Paris and his expected talks with French President Emmanuel Macron are a sign of the strength of Saudi Arabia’s relationship with France and the depth of their friendship.

The most important element of the visit is just days after US President Joe Biden’s visit to the Gulf in a turbulent international and regional climate.

The Crown Prince’s visit shows the desire of many countries, including Saudi Arabia, to diversify their cooperation with the rest of the world, even in areas traditionally reserved for the United States.

In this context, France holds a special place given the regular and lasting relationship between Macron and the Crown Prince. This is evident from the French leader’s visit to the kingdom as part of a January bay tour.

In Paris, while addressing various aspects of bilateral relations, the two leaders will consider ways to strengthen them in the areas of economic cooperation and mutual benefit.

At their January meeting, they agreed to strengthen private sector participation in economic exchanges, to strengthen knowledge sharing and skills development.

The Vision 2030 and France 2030 Economic Plans, initiated by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, are a vector of opportunity and convergence.

Each initiative in the areas of environmental protection and biodiversity protection will also be on the agenda.

Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reiterate the importance of their commitment to combating climate change under the Paris Agreement. And the Kingdom’s unique ambitious Twin Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives are well supported by France.

This visit also provides an opportunity to discuss the cultural relationship between the two countries, where Paris and Riyadh have succeeded in establishing fruitful cooperation for the development of the Alura region. The two leaders aim to expand collaboration, especially in museum development, heritage preservation and filmmaking.

At a more strategic level, energy security will be paramount in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. One source suggested that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia would give Macron a guarantee of the Kingdom’s efforts to mitigate the crisis.

France aims to show its position as a major partner in light of America’s departure from the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia wants to diversify its partners at both military and economic levels. ..

The discussion on the Palestinian issue is certain, and the same applies to Lebanon. Lebanon is plagued by endemic political crises and inertia, and even its closest partners have been unable to come to help.

Another focus of the debate is on Iran’s nuclear issue and its regional implications. Macron argues that the resolution of the deadlock will include returning to the nuclear agreement of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signed with Tehran in 2015 as soon as possible.

In this regard, the meeting with the Crown Prince will give Macron an opportunity to reaffirm that Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region are ready to participate in the development of a new partnership outline. prize.

For Macron, who has just entered his second presidential term, this is arguably a way to initiate a new impetus for foreign policy in the Middle East.