Saudi Arabia, France Stress Importance of Strengthening Defense Cooperation

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz at the Elysée. SPA
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz at the Elysée. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, France Stress Importance of Strengthening Defense Cooperation

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz at the Elysée. SPA
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz at the Elysée. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and French President Emmanuel Macron stressed during talks they held at the Elysée Palace in Paris the need for continuous evaluation of the security and stability of the Middle East.

A final statement was issued on Friday concerning the visit of the Crown Prince to the French capital. It said the two sides discussed the historical and strategic relations between the two countries, and the means to develop them in all fields. They also exchanged views on the current regional and international developments.

The discussions also focused on ways to deepen the investment partnership between the two countries by enhancing cooperation in renewable energy - including solar and wind energy – and in clean hydrogen, and adhering to the principles of the Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

The talks touched on aspects of strategic partnerships and ways to develop them, the importance of stabilizing global energy markets, and sustaining food supplies of wheat and grains to all countries, and maintaining an abundance of supply and price stability.

The Crown Prince and Macron stressed the need for continuous evaluation of the common threats to the two sides’ interests and the security and stability of the Middle East and the importance of strengthening defense cooperation and partnership.
The talks also touched on discussing ways to develop and enhance cooperation and coordination on issues of common concern, including combating terrorism and its financing, combating all forms of crimes, and exchanging expertise and training.

They tackled the importance of resolving international disputes through diplomatic and peaceful means, adherence to the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of good neighborliness, and respect for the unity and sovereignty of countries.
The French side commended the Kingdom's efforts and support for the truce in Yemen. The Kingdom's appreciation for France's support for UN efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis per the three references was also underscored.

They discussed the two countries' support for Lebanon's sovereignty, security, and stability, and the importance of implementing comprehensive political and economic reforms. They also expressed their satisfaction with the Saudi-French Fund's efforts to support humanitarian and relief work in Lebanon per the highest standards of transparency.

The Crown Prince and Macron had common views on the need to intensify efforts to reach a comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution, relevant international legitimacy resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative, in a manner that ensures the Palestinian people’s right to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The talks stressed the importance of reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves the territorial integrity of Syria and the safety of its people.

The two sides also touched on international efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, to ensure that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful, and urge Tehran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, maintain the principles of good neighborliness and non-interference in the internal affairs of the regional countries.

The Crown Prince expressed to Macron the Kingdom's appreciation for France's support for the candidacy of Riyadh to host the World Expo 2030.



Saudi FM Receives Message on Bilateral Ties from Russian Counterpart 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi FM Receives Message on Bilateral Ties from Russian Counterpart 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov congratulated each other on Thursday on the centenary of diplomatic relations between their countries.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received, on behalf of the foreign minister, a letter from Lavrov during a meeting with Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov in Riyadh.

The diplomats exchanged congratulations on the centenary of diplomatic relations and discussed several issues of common interest.


Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Former CENTCOM Commander with King Abdulaziz Medal 

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla during the ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla during the ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Former CENTCOM Commander with King Abdulaziz Medal 

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla during the ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla during the ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz bestowed on Thursday the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class upon former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla.

The medal was awarded at the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The ceremony took place at the defense minister's office in Riyadh.


Saudi Crown Prince Performs Prayers at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other officials perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other officials perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Performs Prayers at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other officials perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other officials perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, visited the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday to perform prayers.

He received upon his arrival by President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah, and a number of the mosque's imams and preachers.

Crown Prince Mohammed was accompanied by Governor of the Madinah Region Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Cabinet Member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Madinah Region Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Prince Saud bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, and several other officials.

Earlier, in Riyadh, Crown Prince Mohammed received at the Al-Yamamah Palace Saudi Arabia's grand mufti, several princes, scholars, ministers, and a number of citizens who came to extend their congratulations on the occasion of Ramadan. 

The Crown Prince prayed to Allah Almighty to accept everyone's fasting and righteous deeds, and to bless the Kingdom with continued security, stability, and prosperity under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.