ON this National Day of Saudi Arabia I would like to express my warmest wishes to the Saudi authorities and people.

It is the first National Day under King Salman’s leadership and it is for me an opportunity to pay tribute to his already great achievements. The international and regional situation is today very different from what it was last year, with the war in Yemen, the low price of oil, the nuclear agreement with Iran, etc.

The Saudi government has taken courageous measures to tackle these developments.

We know that it is in time of uncertainty and trouble that one needs friends. France is sharing with the Kingdom the same objectives in order to try to stabilize the Middle East. This special relationship has been evident with the GCC invitation to President Francois Hollande as the guest of honor in last May meeting.

The Saudi-French summit on 4th may in Riyadh has ended in very important decisions to enhance our bilateral cooperation. And the visit to Paris in June by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been a great success, with the implementation of our joint program of action and the signing of numerous agreements and contracts.

The second session of the joint committee and the Second Business Forum in Riyadh on Oct. 12-13 will mark new achievements of our strategic partnership.

In that perspective we have good reasons to express once again our best wishes to our Saudi friends on their National Day.

Bertrand Besancenot,

French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia