Emmanuel Macron continues his state visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, far from the political crisis shaking France, with an important economic component, after the signing the day before of a strategic partnership between the two countries.
Arriving Monday evening in Riyadh when government censorship was becoming almost inevitable in Paris, the French president joined the Royal Palace without saying a word about the political excitement 6,000 kilometers away.
The solemnity of the welcome ceremony and the one-on-one meeting with the crown prince and de facto leader of the country Mohammed bin Salman (“MBS”) seemed the polar opposite of the instability which is once again shaking France.
The two leaders signed a strategic partnership with the ambition to “multiply cooperation in all areas”, from defense to ecological transition and culture.
They also “agreed to make every effort to contribute to de-escalation” in the Middle East, according to the Elysée. They notably called for the election of a president in Lebanon – of which the country has been deprived for more than two years – after the entry into force of a truce on November 27 between Israel and the Shiite movement Hezbollah.
After this political sequence on Monday, it's time for business: Emmanuel Macron must close a Franco-Saudi business forum in the afternoon, the opportunity to launch partnerships in the economy of the future, from renewable energies to intelligence. artificial.
– “Unavoidable” –
A visit to the Riyadh metro, of French design, planned for the morning, however, was canceled without explanation.
“Our wish is to be able, through this visit, to consolidate France's place as an essential and reliable partner for Saudi Arabia in all areas of its development,” underlines the Elysée.
The kingdom has embarked under the leadership of its young leader in a profound economic and social modernization, entitled “Vision 2030°, with great investment.
The Head of State is accompanied by around fifty bosses of large French groups (Total, EDF, Veolia…) and start-ups (Pasqal, Alan, Mistral…) emblematic of the economy of the future .
A certain number of contracts and declarations of intent must be signed, notably relating to the development of renewable energies while Arabia, the world's leading exporter of crude oil, accelerates its diversification.
The kingdom, which will host the Universal Expo in 2030 and the 2034 World Cup – it is the only one in the running – also intends to accelerate its opening to the world by modernizing its image in the process.
France, buoyed by the success of the Paris Olympic Games, hopes to be able to provide its expertise in the organization of these events.
– Human rights –
It is also a privileged partner in the development of the archaeological heritage of Al-Ula, near Medina (north-west), which the kingdom intends to make a flagship tourist site in the Middle East and where the president will end his visit on Wednesday .
MBS, once a pariah after the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey in 2018, has since returned to the center of the game on the international scene, exchanging with Beijing like Moscow and on the verge of finding a strong ally in the person of Donald Trump in Washington.
Emmanuel Macron, one of the first to visit him when he was still ostracized, also hopes to intensify his relationship with him. The two leaders will also meet for a one-on-one dinner on Tuesday.
Human rights nevertheless remain a black point for the young leader, between repression of dissidents and frequent executions.
“The excellence of our relationship allows us to address all subjects, including these,” assures the Elysée, without specifying whether the question was discussed Monday evening.
The French president, who also wishes to involve Arabia in its commitments on major global issues, will also co-chair a summit dedicated to sustainable water management, the One Water Summit, on the sidelines of the COP16 desertification, on Tuesday in Riyadh.
