Deputy Foreign Minister discusses cooperation with French senators and NATO
As part of the active diplomatic movement taking place in the capital, Riyadh, His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Engineer Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, received today at the Ministry’s headquarters two high-level delegations from the French Republic and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation and address current regional and international challenges.
Strengthening the Saudi-French partnership
His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs began his meetings by receiving a delegation from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and the Armed Forces of the French Senate, headed by Senator Cédric Perrin. This meeting underscores the depth of the historical and strategic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic, relations which have witnessed remarkable development in recent years under the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the distinguished bilateral relations between their friendly countries and discussed opportunities for their development in various fields, particularly in the political, security, and defense sectors. They also addressed the most prominent developments on the regional and international scenes, and the efforts being made to enhance international peace and security, given the pivotal role Riyadh and Paris play in coordinating positions on Middle Eastern issues.
Strategic talks with NATO
In a related development, Engineer Waleed Al-Khuraiji held an important meeting with Javier Colomina, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood. This meeting carries significant implications regarding the Alliance's commitment to strengthening dialogue and cooperation with key partners in the Middle East region.
The two sides discussed topics of common interest, and ways to enhance cooperation between the Kingdom and NATO in the areas of security and counter-terrorism, in addition to exchanging views on the crises going through the region and ways to address them politically.
The leading role of Saudi diplomacy
These meetings are of particular importance at this time, as they underscore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's position as a cornerstone of regional stability and a trusted partner of international powers and UN organizations. Through these initiatives, Saudi diplomacy seeks to build bridges of understanding and constructive cooperation, serving the Kingdom's national interests and contributing to de-escalation in regional hotspots.
The visit of the French Senate delegation and the NATO representative to Riyadh reflects the political weight that the Kingdom enjoys, and the international community’s keenness to consult with the Saudi leadership on sensitive issues, given the Kingdom’s influence, power, and ability to lead political and economic initiatives in the region.
