The bilateral ties between France and the Kingdom are based on firm footing, said French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Charles-Henri D’Aragon on the eve of Bastille Day.
“The foundation of these ties was laid at the historic meeting between President Charles de Gaulle and King Faisal during the mid ‘60s,” said the envoy. “Since then, they have grown from strength to greater strength reflecting the Kingdom’s stature in the Arab world and in the international community, not only as the world’s largest oil producer but also for its balanced approach to international issues.”
D’Aragon said that France and Saudi Arabia have an identical approach on major issues and continue to hold frequent consultations on matters of mutual concern.
“It’s an ideal relationship politically which explains the basis of the frequent contacts between the leaderships of both the countries,” he added.
Relations between the two countries must remain active and “lively for mutual interests,” he said.
In April 2005, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah visited Paris when he was the crown prince. President Jacques Chirac reciprocated in March of this year where he became the first Western leader to address the Kingdom’s non-elected consultative body, the Shoura Council. And on Wednesday Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, will begin a three-day tour to France at Chirac’s invitation.
During the visit, D’Aragon said Crown Prince Sultan is expected to meet high-ranking French officials, including Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie.
“Such high-level visits will enliven the existing two-way relations,” he said.
Indeed, Saudi Arabia is seeking to modernize its military infrastructure and French defense contractors Thales and Dassault in particular are hoping to woo Saudi Arabia away from its traditional defense suppliers Britain and the US as the Kingdom appears to be seeking other sources. (It recently purchased 15 Embraer jets from Brazil for delivery in December). Chirac’s visit to the Kingdom in March included four of his ministers and the CEOs of Total and Alcatel. While stressing on the major role played by the Kingdom in the international arena, D’Aragon said Saudi Arabia is successfully exercising its diplomacy to help maintain security and stability in the Middle East, especially in the Arab-Israeli conflict, Palestinian sovereignty, Iraq, and the recent nuclear problem in Iran.
“France also appreciates the Kingdom’s moderate role in stabilizing oil prices at a level that should not be prejudicial to the growth of the international economy,” he added.
In the area of culture and tourism, the ambassador pointed out that there is a remarkable increase in the number of Saudis visiting France. Around 25,000 visas were issued at the French Embassy and its consulate in Jeddah.
“The increase in the number of visas indicates the growing interest of Saudis to visit France for business and leisure,” he said.
Last year, around 60 Saudi students were given scholarships to study medicine in French universities. This year, he said it has been increased to 80. The Eurogolfe Initiative, launched last year, had enabled Gulf students, particularly Saudis, to pursue higher studies in Arabic, French and English at the Institute of Political Studies of Paris.
The Kingdom’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and liberalization of its trade policies have paved the way for new opportunities for foreign investors in the Kingdom, he said, pointing out that the existing French joint ventures have provided more than 20,000 job opportunities in the Kingdom.
Last year, French imports from the Kingdom stood at 3.6 billion euros, while its exports to Saudi Arabia were valued at 1.65 billion during the same period. Main French exports include barley, perfumes, poultry meat, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment and clothing items and accessories. French imports consist mainly of crude oil and refined petroleum products, which make up for almost 95 percent of French imports from the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia remains the third largest oil supplier of France. Currently, France operates 60 joint ventures in the Kingdom including the latest additions of BNP Bank and the AGEF Insurance Company to its network.
“We work closely with the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the SAGIA, in developing economic and commercial bilateral relations in the context of the ongoing liberalization of Saudi Arabia’s economy and the outstanding progress of the Kingdom’s public finances,” said D’Aragon.
In May, Total and Saudi Aramco agreed to form a joint venture company, with the two parties holding an ownership interest of 35 percent each subject to required regulatory approvals. The signatories are planning to offer up to 30-percent interest in the project to the Saudi public. According to the accord, Saudi Aramco will supply the project with 400,000 barrels per day of Arabian Heavy crude oil, while both will share the marketing of the refinery production.
Ambassador Aragon will host a reception today at his residence to mark Bastille Day. French citizens in the Kingdom and members of the diplomatic corps, government officials and local businessmen are expected to participate in the celebrations.