French Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Mohammed bin Salman’s Visit Paves Way for New Phase of Strategic Partnership

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to France signifies the commencement of a new era in the strategic partnership between Riyadh and Paris, according to French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Maisonnave. This visit is set to deepen cooperation across a wide spectrum of fields, including diplomacy, security, defense, investment, energy, culture, technology, and education.

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Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to France on Sunday means, in short, that Riyadh and Paris are entering a new phase of a genuine strategic partnership.

The establishment of the French-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council is highlighted as a crucial institutional framework. This council will enable both nations to set priorities, monitor progress, and foster long-term collaboration across key areas of their relationship. Ambassador Maisonnave emphasized that this partnership is evolving from a strong bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic one, driven by a shared determination to navigate significant geopolitical, economic, and technological shifts.

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the council is particularly important because it provides a permanent institutional framework for this political ambition, allowing both countries to set priorities, measure progress, and develop long-term cooperation across the main pillars of the relationship.

Both Saudi Arabia and France are committed to addressing regional stability and global challenges. Their collaboration extends to supporting a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, ensuring Yemen's stability, and protecting the security of strategic maritime routes. They also back efforts to end the war in Sudan and preserve its unity, while supporting Syria's sovereignty and Lebanon's statehood.

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Mohammed bin Salman’s visit demonstrates a shared determination to move from a very strong bilateral partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The ambassador noted that Saudi Arabia's ongoing transformation under Vision 2030, combined with France's expertise in sectors like energy, infrastructure, culture, and artificial intelligence, creates fertile ground for new areas of convergence. This strategic dimension is characterized by a move towards shared objectives, long-term planning, and joint initiatives, building upon a foundation of mutual trust that allows them to overcome regional geopolitical challenges.

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Riyadh and Paris have a well-established partnership and mutual trust that enable them to overcome the geopolitical challenges facing the region.