RIYADH, 13 September 2007 — French President Nicolas Sarkozy is scheduled to make his first visit to Saudi Arabia late January, a senior French official said here yesterday.
Talks are expected to focus on bilateral issues, international developments and economic partnerships between Saudi Arabia and France.
A senior French delegation headed by Philippe Marani, member of the French Senate and head of the Saudi-French Friendship Committee, arrived in the Kingdom this week on an official invitation by the Shoura Council. The delegation was also preparing for the upcoming presidential visit.
The delegation has met with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in Jeddah, Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman and Prince Bandar ibn Sultan, former Saudi ambassador to the United States who now heads Saudi Arabia’s national security operations.
The senator said that Saudi officials shared many of France’s views regarding regional and international events. Future economic partnership between France and Saudi Arabia was also among the main topics discussed with Saudi officials.
“In all of our meetings we have discussed the huge economic potential in Saudi Arabia in the light of its economic development and reforms,” Marani told a press conference at the French Embassy, referring to the talks the delegation had with senior Saudi officials.
According to Marani, French companies are keen on investing in three major sectors: water treatment, telecommunications and education.
Speaking on international issues, the French senator said that solving the Palestinian issue is key to the region’s stability.
He said France has welcomed US President George W. Bush’s call for an international peace conference in November, but added that it should produce concrete results “rather than being a public relations showcase.”
Speaking about the war in Iraq and the future of American-led troops there, France’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bertrand Besancenot said the French have always condemned what he referred to as the “American incursion in Iraq.”
“Current events have proved that the French were right all along,” he said, referring to his country’s opposition to the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
