Saudi Crown Prince, French President Hold Extensive Talks in Riyadh

In this photo provided by the Saudi Royal Palace, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Saudi Royal Palace via AP)
In this photo provided by the Saudi Royal Palace, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Saudi Royal Palace via AP)
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Saudi Crown Prince, French President Hold Extensive Talks in Riyadh

In this photo provided by the Saudi Royal Palace, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Saudi Royal Palace via AP)
In this photo provided by the Saudi Royal Palace, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Saudi Royal Palace via AP)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Riyadh on Monday French President Emmanuel Macron.

They held extensive bilateral talks, tackling relations between the Kingdom and France, along with efforts to bolster cooperation in various fields.

They discussed opportunities to invest in available resources in both countries to achieve mutual interests. They reviewed regional and international developments and issues of common concern.

Following the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed and Macron witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the formation of the Strategic Partnership Council between the governments of Saudi Arabia and France.

In this photo provided by the Saudi Royal Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron is welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Saudi Royal Palace via AP)

The MoU was signed by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot.

Macron had arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday on a three-day visit. He will attend the One Water Summit on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) in Riyadh.

Organized by France, Kazakhstan, and the World Bank in partnership with Saudi Arabia, the Summit aims to accelerate action on SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and incubate innovative solutions in preparation for the next UN Water Conference in 2026.



Tuwaiq 4 Joint Air Exercise Starts in Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base

The exercise is scheduled to run for two weeks, featuring ground troops from eight countries alongside the Royal Saudi Air Force. SPA
The exercise is scheduled to run for two weeks, featuring ground troops from eight countries alongside the Royal Saudi Air Force. SPA
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Tuwaiq 4 Joint Air Exercise Starts in Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base

The exercise is scheduled to run for two weeks, featuring ground troops from eight countries alongside the Royal Saudi Air Force. SPA
The exercise is scheduled to run for two weeks, featuring ground troops from eight countries alongside the Royal Saudi Air Force. SPA

The Tuwaiq 4 joint air exercise maneuvers began at Prince Sultan Air Base in the presence of unit commanders and with the participation of forces from various nations.

The exercise is scheduled to run for two weeks, featuring ground troops from eight countries alongside the Royal Saudi Air Force. Participating nations include the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Morocco, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Greece. Bahrain and Egypt are also involved as observers.

Saudi Colonel Pilot Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khanfour, the Exercise Director, highlighted that Tuwaiq 4 aims to foster cooperation and knowledge exchange in tactical airdrop procedures.

The exercise is designed to enhance the readiness and combat proficiency of air, technical, and support personnel, preparing them for assigned tasks in various tactical landing scenarios.

Tuwaiq 4 includes joint operations by participating units, featuring tactical landings from varying altitudes supported by combat air missions and the implementation of search and rescue operations.

The exercise agenda includes lectures on essential techniques in tactical landing, as well as planning phases, management, leadership, and evaluation of tactical airdrop operations.