UAE, Ethiopia Discuss Regional Developments, Peacemaking in Horn of Africa

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (WAM)
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (WAM)
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UAE, Ethiopia Discuss Regional Developments, Peacemaking in Horn of Africa

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (WAM)
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (WAM)

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at al-Watan Palace.

The two officials discussed cooperation, joint work, and ways to enhance ties between the two countries various fields to advance their overall development efforts and interests.

Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Ahmed and expressed his pride in the constructive friendship that the UAE and Ethiopia have cultivated over the past years through dedicated work to serve the interests of their peoples and enhance security and stability in the region.

Sheikh Mohamed and the Prime Minister reviewed the progress and opportunities in the cooperation between their countries in various sectors, primarily developmental, economic, investment, and other vital industries.

The UAE-Ethiopia relations witnessed significant development during the past years, particularly in investment, agriculture, trade fields, among others.

They also exchanged views regarding the latest regional and global developments and several issues of mutual concern, especially issues related to peacemaking efforts in the Horn of Africa.

The Prime Minister briefed Shiekh Mohammed on the latest developments in the Ethiopian arena.

The Crown Prince highlighted the UAE's stance and approach to establishing peace and stability, given its firm belief that achieving development and building a better future for people requires building a solid foundation on pillars of stability, peace, coexistence, and cooperation.

He thanked the Ethiopian government for its support and condemnation of Houthis' attacks on civilian facilities in the UAE and its solidarity with the UAE in any measures taken.

He also pointed out that there is a close link between the security and stability of the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea region on the one hand and the security of the Horn of Africa on the other, calling for a unified and effective regional stance against the threat posed by the militia to the region.

Sheikh Mohamed wished success and good luck for the African Union Summit, which Ethiopia will host next February and aims to support stability, peace, security, and development in the African continent, especially since Ethiopia is a cornerstone of joint African action.

He also stressed that the UAE attaches great importance to its relations with Africa at the political, economic, trade, and developmental levels.

In turn, Abiy Ahmed lauded UAE's stances and initiatives supporting peace and stability in his country and wished continued progress and development for the Emirates.

He also praised the UAE's approach in terms of its relations with other countries, which is based on wise and balanced diplomacy.

The Prime Minister stated that UAE seeks to promote stability and peace in various countries, and its cooperation and solidarity with governments to address common challenges, and partnership and support for initiatives aimed at achieving prosperity and development for other nations.

The Prime Minister renewed his country's solidarity with the UAE in all the steps it takes to preserve its security and territorial integrity.

He also stressed that the terrorist attack poses a serious threat to regional peace and security, undermines peace efforts in the region, and violates all international and humanitarian norms and laws.



French Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Aviation Leading Our Exports to Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron chair the French-Saudi investment roundtable in Paris in August. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron chair the French-Saudi investment roundtable in Paris in August. (SPA)
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French Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Aviation Leading Our Exports to Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron chair the French-Saudi investment roundtable in Paris in August. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron chair the French-Saudi investment roundtable in Paris in August. (SPA)

The visit by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Paris has propelled economic and investment relations between Saudi Arabia and France into a new phase, accelerating the implementation of joint projects and expanding cooperation in the transport, logistics, energy, and advanced technology sectors, French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Maisonnave told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The Crown Prince had visited Paris on August 24, where he co-chaired, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council.

The meeting marked a new milestone in bilateral relations between the two countries and witnessed the announcement of some 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding across several fields.

Maisonnave said the meeting “consolidated our long-term cooperation and accelerated the implementation of joint projects.”

“France has become one of the Kingdom’s foremost partners and a key player in the economic and cultural transformation the country is undergoing,” he added, noting trade volume grew by 11% in 2025, and Saudi Arabia now ranks as France’s leading trading partner in the Near and Middle East.

“While the aviation sector drives our exports, the range of goods is remarkably diverse; pharmaceuticals, food products, cosmetics, and electrical equipment, for instance, feature prominently,” said the ambassador.

“Economic relations between our two countries are now characterized by mutual investments, sustainable projects, and the transfer of expertise in areas of shared interest. The Strategic Partnership Council now serves as the framework that will forge closer economic ties between France and the Kingdom as we navigate the transformations of the future,” Maisonnave stressed.

Moreover, he noted that France currently ranks as the third-largest foreign investor in the Kingdom. “Our ambition is to strengthen this presence and encourage more French companies to seize the opportunities created by the Kingdom’s transformation.”

“The establishment of large-scale credit insurance mechanisms will further support the participation of French companies in the Kingdom’s major strategic projects. It is a Kingdom where France seeks to increase investment, forge partnerships, develop talent, and create value and jobs,” Maisonnave added.

French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Maisonnave. (French Embassy in Saudi Arabia)

He highlighted the agreement between CMA CGM and the Red Sea Gateway Terminal to develop and operate Terminal 4 at Jeddah Port as a perfect example of this commitment.

It combines the expertise of a major French group with a global footprint and Saudi Arabia’s ambition to strengthen its position as a key logistics hub - a strategic role connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa, the importance of which was clearly demonstrated during the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, said the ambassador.

“In the realm of urban transport, the contract awarded to Alstom to supply additional metro trains for Riyadh follows the same logic: leveraging French expertise to support the Kingdom’s major infrastructure projects,” he continued.

“I am also very pleased with the growing momentum of this dynamic. The entertainment project planned by Qiddiya in the Paris region is a powerful signal in this regard; for us, it serves as further proof of confidence in France’s ability to attract such projects,” stressed Maisonnave.

Future technologies

The ambassador also said it was “crucial” to strengthen the partnership in future technologies. “The strategic collaboration announced between HUMAIN and Mistral AI is a prime example of this,” he noted.

“This partnership encompasses AI infrastructure, the development of advanced models, and the deployment of solutions tailored to the Kingdom’s needs, with the aim of developing high-performance, sovereign capabilities in the Arabic language.”

In the energy sector, the ambassador said: “We are committed to enhancing the stability of global energy markets and ensuring security of supply. We will strengthen our strategic cooperation in the oil and petrochemical sectors, sustainable power generation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, clean hydrogen, and peaceful nuclear energy.”

The outcomes of the French-Saudi investment roundtable, held during the Crown Prince’s visit to Paris, underscore the growing economic ties between the two countries. The event brought together private sector representatives to exchange views on opportunities across various key sectors.

“The approximately 20 agreements and memoranda of understanding announced on this occasion attest to the deepening ties between our companies,” said Maisonnave.


Saudi Crown Prince, CENTCOM Commander Discuss Regional Developments

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, CENTCOM Commander Discuss Regional Developments

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Jeddah on Monday US Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper for talks on bilateral ties between their countries.

They also discussed developments in the region.

Saudi Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban was present at the meeting.


Saudi Civil Defense Lifts Alert after Security Threat in Abha and Khamis Mushait

The Civil Defense stressed the importance of obtaining information from official channels and adhering to instructions issued by competent authorities (SPA)
The Civil Defense stressed the importance of obtaining information from official channels and adhering to instructions issued by competent authorities (SPA)
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Saudi Civil Defense Lifts Alert after Security Threat in Abha and Khamis Mushait

The Civil Defense stressed the importance of obtaining information from official channels and adhering to instructions issued by competent authorities (SPA)
The Civil Defense stressed the importance of obtaining information from official channels and adhering to instructions issued by competent authorities (SPA)

Saudi civil defense authorities said on Monday that the danger that prompted a security alert through the National Early Warning Platform for emergencies in Abha and Khamis Mushait had passed. The alert warned residents and urged them to follow safety instructions.

The civil defense issued an early warning of a potential security danger in Abha and Khamis Mushait, urging residents to remain calm, follow official instructions and move to the nearest safe place inside buildings. It also urged them to stay away from windows and exposed areas until the danger subsides.

It said that if an alert was received while driving, motorists should pull over away from bridges and high-rise buildings. It also urged people to report any danger by calling 911 in Makkah, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 998 in other parts of the kingdom.

The warning has also advised people not to leave buildings, refrain from filming incidents or gather in groups in hazardous areas.

The civil defense authorities also stressed the importance of obtaining information from official channels, and following instructions issued by the relevant authorities.