This is the French president's third trip to Saudi Arabia since 2017, a “very close relationship” to which the country's strong man, a time outcast after the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey, responded with three visits. official in France.
Support for Lebanon
The two leaders will “enact an enhancement of the bilateral relationship to the level of a strategic partnership”, announced the Élysée, recalling that the last state visit of a French president to Arabia dates back to Jacques Chirac in 2006.
They will firstly see how to “work together” on the conflicts shaking the region and the risks of generalized escalation. With Lebanon at the “heart of the discussions”, after a fragile truce that came into force on Wednesday between Israel and the Shiite movement Hezbollah, supported by Iran.
Emmanuel Macron, strong from his role in the ceasefire, hopes for Saudi support for the Lebanese army, which is redeploying to the border with Israel but lacks resources, and for the resolution of the political crisis which is shaking Lebanon for more than two years.
The Gulf monarchy, long politically and financially influential in Lebanon, has disengaged in recent years in the face of the growing weight of Hezbollah. But the latter emerges very weakened from the conflict with Israel and Riyadh could therefore decide to “once again finance acquisitions for the benefit of the Lebanese Armed Forces, or even aid to the Lebanese economy”, suggests a good expert on the matter in Paris.
Gaza and Israel
The two countries also call for a ceasefire in Gaza and a “political outcome” based on the “two-state” solution, Israeli and Palestinian.
Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites, is engaged in discussions with Washington for the normalization of its relations with Israel and the granting of American security guarantees. But in mid-September, the Saudi crown prince affirmed that his country would not recognize Israel before the “creation of a Palestinian state”.
The fighting which has resumed in Syria between rebel groups and the regime of Bashar al-Assad is also reopening a new front of regional instability.
Oil, solar and Rafale
The presidential visit will have an important economic component on Tuesday as the kingdom, the world's leading producer of crude oil, has embarked on accelerated diversification to face post-oil potential. The two countries also intend to “very significantly strengthen” their economic exchanges which are not “up to common ambitions”, underlines the Élysée.
The Head of State will be accompanied for this by around fifty bosses of large French groups (Total, EDF, Veolia etc.) but also of start-ups in artificial intelligence and quantum physics (Pasqal, Alan, Mistral..). So many sectors, with the energy transition and mobility, which could lead to contracts.
French companies will notably participate in Saudi projects in solar energy.
Discussions are also underway for the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets by Saudi Arabia. “The President's visit could make it possible to reach a decision, not necessarily an announcement,” however, underlines a source close to the matter.
Tourism and culture
France is also a key partner of Saudi Arabia in cultural and tourism matters, with the development of a $20 billion mega project around the oasis and archaeological site of Al-Ula, north of Medina. (northwest).
Once open mainly to Muslim pilgrims going to Mecca, Saudi Arabia aims to make tourism one of the pillars of its economic and societal transformation and Al-Ula one of the most prestigious sites in the Middle East.
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