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Élysée Sources: Macron’s Upcoming Saudi Visit Seen as Exceptional

President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, during their visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral to inspect restoration work following the fire that struck in spring 2019 (AFP)
President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, during their visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral to inspect restoration work following the fire that struck in spring 2019 (AFP)
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Élysée Sources: Macron’s Upcoming Saudi Visit Seen as Exceptional

President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, during their visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral to inspect restoration work following the fire that struck in spring 2019 (AFP)
President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, during their visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral to inspect restoration work following the fire that struck in spring 2019 (AFP)

French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Saudi Arabia on December 2 at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Élysée Palace announced.

Élysée sources described the visit as an “exceptional state visit,” at the highest diplomatic level, reflecting strong ties and a close personal relationship between Macron and the Crown Prince.

Paris views the visit as a “crucial moment” in the evolving ties between France and Saudi Arabia. Both nations aim to elevate their relationship to the level of a “strategic partnership,” which will be formally announced during the visit.

Macron’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia is seen by Paris as a pivotal moment in advancing bilateral ties.

Both nations plan to elevate their relationship to a formal “strategic partnership” during the visit, reflecting shared ambitions for the next decade, underpinned by a joint action plan, according to the Élysée Palace.

Supporting Saudi Transformation

The visit comes as Saudi Arabia undergoes significant economic transformation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030.

It highlights France’s support for Saudi Vision 2030, including major projects like NEOM, AlUla development, and efforts in renewable energy and cultural initiatives. Paris views this as an opportunity to expand economic and cultural cooperation.

Tackling Regional Crises

Macron and the Crown Prince will address major challenges, including the Gaza conflict, Lebanon’s political stalemate, the Yemen war, and Iran’s nuclear activities.

France aims to work with Saudi Arabia on ceasefires, peace efforts, and humanitarian initiatives, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon.

In Gaza, France seeks Saudi collaboration to push for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and humanitarian protections.

Paris also emphasizes the importance of Saudi contributions through the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to advance a two-state solution for Palestine.

In Lebanon, discussions will focus on consolidating the ceasefire, supporting presidential elections to fill the leadership vacuum, and driving reforms.

France also highlights the importance of rebuilding efforts, estimated at $15 billion, and appreciates Saudi contributions to recent international aid conferences.

The Élysée sees Saudi Arabia’s modernization and social reforms as positioning the Kingdom as a central player in a more interconnected Middle East.

France supports Saudi bids for major global events, such as hosting Expo 2030 and the Winter Olympics, viewing these as opportunities for deeper cooperation.

Macron’s engagement with Iran will also be discussed, as France seeks to balance dialogue with Tehran while urging it to cease actions that destabilize the region.

The French President’s schedule includes high-level meetings, a visit to Riyadh Metro, the Saudi-French Economic Forum, and cultural stops in Diriyah and AlUla.

The trip underscores France’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s transformation and promoting stability in the region.

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Gulf

GCC Commits to Peace and Good Neighborliness, Says Security of Gulf States Is ‘Indivisible’

Heads of delegations are seen at the 167th Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Manama on Wednesday. (GCC)
Heads of delegations are seen at the 167th Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Manama on Wednesday. (GCC)
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GCC Commits to Peace and Good Neighborliness, Says Security of Gulf States Is ‘Indivisible’

Heads of delegations are seen at the 167th Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Manama on Wednesday. (GCC)
Heads of delegations are seen at the 167th Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Manama on Wednesday. (GCC)

The 167th Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemned on Wednesday the latest Iranian attacks against Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan as “flagrant violations against their sovereignty and security of their people.”

Meeting in Manama, the council slammed the attacks as violations of international law, United Nations Charter and values of good neighborliness.

“These hostile acts do not serve any understanding or rapprochement, but rather distance peoples from one another, undermine the foundations of trust, sow discord and close the doors of dialogue to which the GCC states have always called for,” it said in a statement.

“Aggression does not build relations, and intimidation does not create stability,” it stressed, while expressing its full solidarity with Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.

“The security of the GCC states is indivisible, and that any attack against one of them is an attack against them all,” it went on to say.

The council reassured the citizens of its states and residents on their territories that the joint defense capabilities and air defense systems are confronting these attacks with high efficiency and readiness, and that the leaderships of the GCC states are moving forward in safeguarding the security and stability of the region.

“These attacks will only increase the cohesion, determination and resolve of the peoples of the GCC states to resist and confront them,” continued the statement.

Moreover, it underscored the right of GCC states to defend themselves “individually and collectively, and to respond to this aggression by all legitimate means, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, which guarantees the inherent right of states to defend themselves if an armed attack occurs against them.”

“The council holds Iran fully responsible for these acts and their grave repercussions on the security of the region, international navigation and energy supplies, and demands their immediate cessation and a complete end to any targeting of the GCC states, their interests and their citizens,” urged the statement.

The council called upon the Security Council and the international community to assume their responsibilities in condemning this aggression and holding its perpetrators accountable, in a manner that ensures respect for the sovereignty of states and the preservation of regional and international peace and security.

The council, while renewing the GCC states’ commitment to the option of peace, good neighborliness and diplomatic solutions as a means of settling disputes, posed “a fundamental question to the aggressor: How can future relations be built amid the continuation of these attacks and the insistence on pursuing them?”

“Persistence in the path of aggression will only lead to further isolation, while the door to understanding remains open to those who choose the language of wisdom and good neighborliness,” it added.

Gulf

Saudi Foreign Ministry: Saudi Arabia Condemns Blatant Iranian Attacks Against Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan

Saudi Foreign Ministry: Saudi Arabia Condemns Blatant Iranian Attacks Against Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan
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Saudi Foreign Ministry: Saudi Arabia Condemns Blatant Iranian Attacks Against Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan

Saudi Foreign Ministry: Saudi Arabia Condemns Blatant Iranian Attacks Against Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Iranian attacks and flagrant violations of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, considering them a threat to the security and safety of their territories and airspace.

In a statement, the ministry said: “The Kingdom affirms that the continuation of these attacks threatens regional and international security and undermines efforts aimed at de-escalation and the restoration of security and stability in the region.”

The Kingdom also reiterated its full solidarity with Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, and its support for all measures taken by these nations to safeguard their sovereignty, security, stability, and the safety of their citizens and residents.

Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister Arrives in Bahrain for GCC Ministerial Meeting

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrives in Manama - SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrives in Manama - SPA
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Saudi Foreign Minister Arrives in Bahrain for GCC Ministerial Meeting

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrives in Manama - SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrives in Manama - SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Manama on Wednesday to participate in the 167th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council, chaired by Bahrain’s minister of foreign affairs, in his capacity as the current session chair, and attended by foreign ministers of the GCC member states.

He was welcomed at Manama International Airport by Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi.