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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to France signals the commencement of a "new phase" in the strategic partnership between Riyadh and Paris, according to a senior French official. The visit is poised to enhance collaboration across a broad spectrum of areas, including diplomacy, security, defense, investment, energy, culture, technology, and education.

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Mohammed bin Salman’s Visit Paves Way for New Phase of Strategic Partnership

Patrick Maisonnave, the French ambassador to Saudi Arabia, highlighted the significance of the first meeting of the French-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council. He described the council as a crucial institutional framework that will enable both countries to set priorities, track progress, and foster long-term cooperation across key aspects of their relationship.

Maisonnave emphasized that the partnership is evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global landscape. He stated that the Crown Prince's visit underscores a shared determination to elevate the bilateral relationship from strong cooperation to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This ambition extends beyond bilateral issues to encompass regional stability and global challenges.

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Saudi Crown Prince 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 transformation underway in Saudi Arabia, driven by Vision 2030, combined with France's strengths in sectors like energy, infrastructure, culture, and artificial intelligence, creates fertile ground for convergence. The strategic depth of this partnership lies in its shift towards shared objectives, long-term planning, and joint initiatives, making it resilient to geopolitical challenges.

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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 Riyadh and Paris are actively coordinating on regional crises, including their support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and efforts to ensure stability in Yemen and freedom of navigation. They also share a commitment to supporting Sudan's unity and institutions and Syria's sovereignty and recovery.

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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.