JEDDAH: French Consul General Dr. Louis Blin served for three years as his country’s consul general, bridging communications and friendship between France and the Kingdom in many areas during his tenure.

Dr. Blin praised the Kingdom’s hospitality at his farewell party in the presence of French Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot, Mazen Hakki, consular advisor at the French Consulate, Ambassador Mohammed Ahmed Al-Tayeb, director general of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Makkah, and a number of diplomats and guests.

He thanked Ambassador Al-Tayeb and the representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for their continuous cooperation and support.

Dr. Blin said in his speech that the city of Jeddah has its own beauty; in French travelers’ diaries, its beauty and charms that attract businessmen and visitors to this multicultural city are mentioned, but the city still has numerous secrets that are yet to be revealed. He said that the strong relationship between Saudi Arabia and French shows that people of the Kingdom love to visit France and vice versa, especially French Muslims who like to come to for Umrah and Haj every year. He explained that during his tenure, France has turned into a place for exchange of mutual interest and respect.

“Saudis and the French have a lot of things in common. I want to thank all those who supported us and made our stay adventurous — artists, painters, vocalists and instrumentalists, businessmen and women — who helped in strengthening the relationship between the two countries,” he said. “I am proud to be the first special envoy to France to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the first French consul to enter Makkah accompanied by pilgrims who came from France to perform pilgrimage, and first who participated in the Kaaba washing ceremony, which is a great honor that I will cherish,” he added.

He also said that France became a key partner in cultural activities. “There is no doubt that the common historical heritage between France and the Kingdom today consolidates the roots of a strong relationship between the two countries.”

He also thanked the staff of the French consulate and members of the French association in the city, those working in the French school, and the Alliance Française in Jeddah who understood his approach aimed at strengthening the Arab-French relationship.

“The three years of my stay gave us a lot of pleasurable moments; the three years that we spent in Jeddah helped us to build a joint Arab-French House, however, the task is not yet completed and we are determined to continue to achieve it,” he said.

Dr. Blin will be going to the Islamic and Arabic services in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in France.

Bertrand Besancenot said Dr. Blin and his wife Nafisa were very active in Jeddah particularly in the cultural field, where they organized many conferences, concerts and activities to further enhance relations between France and Saudi Arabia.