The meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron was an opportunity to discuss the goals and prospects of bilateral cooperation between Riyadh and Paris in various fields, said high-level French sources.
They indicated that the meetings also addressed Saudi Arabia's aspirations in the so-called "energy transition" and the production of clean solar energy, hydrogen, and new technologies.
The sources considered that the Paris tactics during the meeting represented an opportunity to discuss regional issues and joint work for regional stability, such as the situation in Sudan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon.
They also addressed prospects for rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran and its impact on various issues, including the nuclear file.
The sources in France believe that Paris intended to show that the latest development could benefit regional security and stability, calling on both parties to take advantage of this opportunity.
Presidential sources stated that the French side wanted to understand Prince Mohammed bin Salman's readings of the rapprochement and normalization between Riyadh and Tehran and its impact on the issues.
France believed the summit came within the mutual desire to continue the dialogue, deepen bilateral partnership, and address regional and international issues, including the Ukrainian war.
The French side relies on the essential and active Saudi role to ensure the success of the upcoming summit on the "New Global Financing Pact," which will be held in Paris on June 22 and 23.
Leaders, presidents, and international and regional organizations are also expected to attend, including the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
Paris set several goals for the summit: helping the countries fight poverty, reduce their debt, and push for the "green shift" by reducing carbon emissions and ensuring a clean economy.
Lebanese file
French presidential sources confirmed that neither Paris nor Riyadh "are willing to do things primarily the responsibility of the Lebanese" about electing a president and advancing reforms needed to ensure the support of the international community and financial institutions.
Paris believes that a dialogue between the Saudi and Iranian sides could provide the appropriate atmosphere to facilitate the election of a president in Lebanon.
France hopes that Saudi Arabia and Iran would engage in talks to provide the appropriate conditions that facilitate the presidential elections and end the collapse in Lebanon.
The sources denied that Paris or Riyadh planned to hold an international conference on Lebanon, asserting the two countries' desire to "enhance security and stability in Lebanon."
Iran and Syria
France does not oppose restoring ties with Syria but insists that any normalization with the Syrian regime should be "free" or unrequited by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Elysee sources said Macron would like to be informed on the method the Syrian President will adopt to implement some international conditions included in Resolution (2254).
However, they noted that Paris understands Riyadh has its interests and priorities.
The French President also wants to know Prince Mohammed's expectations following the normalization with Iran, said the sources, adding that they tried to understand the Crown Prince's assessment of the Iranian threats and dealing with the Iranians.
Ukrainian crisis
France believes Saudi Arabia can influence Russian President Vladimir Putin to make him understand that he can't achieve victory in this war and that it is best to return to the negotiating table and withdraw his forces from Ukrainian territory.
Presidential sources said that Macron would ask the Crown Prince to help end the war in Ukraine.
For several months, Paris has sought to push countries that remained committed to neutrality to take action, stressing that the impact of the war in Ukraine is global.
The French sources referred to Saudi Arabia's role in "mitigating the effects of the war on fragile countries," economically and socially.
