Abdullah Alami*
June 18, 2023
The visit of His Highness, the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to France occupies the front page in the international news bulletins. One of the most prominent signs of the success of the relationship between the two countries is the development of Saudi French projects. I mean specifically the SATORP refinery, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Total Energy, and the French company (EDF) for renewable energy, which heads the consortium for developing the wind farm project in the Dumat al-Jandal, and other partnerships in the logistical fields as well.
Education and medicine have an important place in the relationship between the two countries. There are one thousand four hundred Saudi students currently pursuing their studies in France, and three Saudi universities teach the French language. Also, hundreds of Saudi doctors were enrolled in training programs in France since 2006.
The number of French companies investing in the Kingdom increased from 259 in 2019 to 336 companies in 2022. As for the trade exchange between the Kingdom and France, its volume increased in 2021 to $7.155 billion.
The current meetings of the Saudi delegation in the French capital include bilateral economic, military, and cultural relations. The Saudi French talks also include several international files, most notably Lebanon, Iraq, and Sudan, in addition to exploring ways to end the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Here in Paris, the pace of economic investments between Riyadh and Paris is rising, and the two sides are discussing developing joint work and strengthening the strategic partnership to achieve the interests of the two countries. I specifically mean renewable energy projects such as solar and wind energy, cooperation in the field of clean hydrogen, and stabilizing global markets.
The outcome is positive, as the Kingdom ranked 53rd in the list of countries receiving French exports, with a value of $3.240 billion. This is not all, the two countries are also working to strengthen bilateral investment relations and build long-term partnerships between the private sectors in both the Kingdom and France. Among the successful evidence is the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the "Business France Program”, and the “Saudi Leadership of National Companies program”. This is how the two countries work to expand the scope of their relationship.
The fruitful cooperation between the two countries did not come out of nowhere. Both Saudi Arabia and France are committed to the principles of the “Framework Convention on Climate Change”, the exchange of strategic interests, as well as strengthening their partnership in the defense fields. The factors that bring together Riyadh and Paris also include the importance of resolving international disputes through diplomatic and peaceful means, adherence to the United Nations Charter, respect for the unity and sovereignty of states, and non-interference in their internal affairs.
Finally. Tomorrow, Monday, June 19, His Highness the Crown Prince will participate in Saudi Arabia's official reception for Riyadh's candidacy to host Expo 2030. The Elysée Palace was proactive in announcing its support for the candidacy file for the important international exhibition. His Highness the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia will also lead the Kingdom's delegation participating in the "For a New Global Financial Pact" summit in Paris on June 22-23. Here, world leaders gather to discuss financing to fight poverty, and other climate and biological issues.
This is how Saudi Arabia became an active player in decision-making and positive international relations.
*Saudi writer
