They discussed supporting stability, the situation in Yemen, the Iranian nuclear program, the projects belonging to the Lebanese people, and the Ukrainian crisis.

Paris - His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met today with His Excellency Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of France, at the headquarters of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris.

The two sides held a session of official talks, during which they reviewed the frameworks of Saudi-French relations and ways to strengthen them in various fields, to serve the interests and aspirations of the two friendly countries.

The two ministers reviewed the most important developments in the regional and international situations, and the efforts made to support the pillars of security and stability, and out of the belief of the leaderships of the two countries in the importance of continuing consultation and exchanging views on developments in regional and international issues. A comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis, including the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, based on the Gulf initiative and its implementation mechanisms, the outcomes of the comprehensive national dialogue and relevant Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2216. For its part, the French side affirmed France’s full support for the Saudi peace initiative that was presented On March 22, 2021 AD. And its unequivocal condemnation of the attacks with ballistic missiles and drones perpetrated by the Houthi militia.

The discussions dealt with the Iranian nuclear file and the importance of any agreement reached in preventing Iran from developing or acquiring a nuclear weapon. The two ministers agreed on the importance of continuing coordination to face challenges and enhance regional security.

In translation of the directives of the leaderships of the two countries, the talks session witnessed the follow-up of bilateral coordination between the Kingdom and France regarding the latest developments in Lebanon and the difficult conditions the Lebanese people suffer from and the repercussions of a severe economic and humanitarian crisis. It was agreed to finance several initial humanitarian projects to help the Lebanese people, and as a first step for joint action. Between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France to provide support in this regard, which comes in the form of several charitable and humanitarian projects concerned with providing direct assistance to a number of hospitals and primary health care centers in Lebanon, and raising the level of health care directed to combating the Corona pandemic (COVID-19), and some educational facilities Basically, it contributes to financing the work of organizations working on distributing infant formula and food to the most affected groups. The joint working mechanism agreed upon between the two sides is being established to provide support to the Lebanese people and to finance some activities of international non-governmental organizations working in the field of relief and popular assistance in Lebanon.

The two ministers exchanged views on developments related to the ongoing Ukrainian crisis, developments in the related situation, and a number of other issues of common interest.

The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the French Republic, Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili, and Director-General of the Office of His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Rahman Al-Daoud.