Macron lauds Saudi efforts for a comprehensive political solution in Yemen
The Elysee Palace stated the course of the meeting, which included President Emmanuel Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on Thursday evening, within the framework of the Saudi Crown Prince’s official visit to France at the invitation of Macron.
The statement stated that the two parties expressed their satisfaction with the “strengthening of communication” between Saudi Arabia and France, and their desire “to deepen the existing relations between the two countries and to continue consultations to confront regional and global challenges, particularly about environmental changes and their consequences.”
As part of the talks, the statement indicated that Macron expressed his “deep concern about the Russian aggression on Ukraine, its catastrophic consequences for civilians and the global food crisis.”
He added that he and the Crown Prince stressed “the need to find a way out of the conflict and to strengthen cooperation to limit its effects on Europe, the Middle East, and the world.”
In this context, Macron pointed to “the importance of continuing coordination between Saudi Arabia and France in the context of the search for diversification of energy sources for European countries, as he presented his initiative called (FARM) for global food security.”
The statement dealt with the two parties’ talks on regional crises; He noted that Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Macron expressed their “common commitment to the security and stability of the Middle East, and affirmed their determination to continue joint efforts to permanently reduce tensions.”
Regarding the Iranian nuclear negotiations file, and Tehran’s return to a commitment to the terms of the 2015 agreement, the statement said that Macron “stressed the need for Iran to seize the opportunity presented to it as long as it is available and return to the agreement.”
He also reminded the French president of his country’s welcome of any dynamic that would enhance dialogue and push toward regional integration, following the spirit of the Baghdad conference that took place last summer.
On the Lebanese file, the two sides affirmed their agreement to “strengthen cooperation between them, specifically within the framework of the humanitarian-development mechanism that they jointly launched” on the occasion of President Macron’s visit to Jeddah in December 2021, and expressed their readiness to continue providing support to the most vulnerable Lebanese.
The two parties also decided to “intensify communication between them to enable Lebanon to confront the economic and political challenges through the speedy implementation of the reforms expected by the Lebanese authorities.”
Regarding the Syrian file, Macron reiterated Paris’ adherence to the ceasefire in northern Syria, and the need to avoid any unilateral military action that would undermine the efforts of the international coalition against ISIS.
Regarding the Yemeni crisis, Macron praised Saudi efforts for a comprehensive and inclusive political solution under the supervision of the UN. Macron also expressed his wish that the existing truce would be extended.
The statement dealt with the two sides’ deliberation regarding the situation in the Middle East and stated that the French president had expressed his “concern” and his readiness to work for a feeling of lasting and just peace; intending to resume dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis.
As for bilateral relations, the statement indicated that the Crown Prince and President Macron “agreed to develop and deepen the existing partnership between the two countries.” In parallel, they discussed “means of enhancing cooperation in the war on terrorism and maintaining the security of sea lanes.”