HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, the Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense, described the Saudi-French partnership as a very important partnership especially at a time when Europe and the Middle East are undergoing changes in the world. In a joint press conference with President Emmanuel Macaron of France held at the Elysee Palace on Tuesday, HRH the Crown Prince said that the interests of Saudi Arabia and French are numerous in various fields. "Political coordination and political action are very important between our two countries because of the Kingdom's position in the Islamic world, in the Arab world, in the Gulf countries, and the position of France also in Europe" HRH the Crown Prince said. He pointed out that Saudi Arabia is not only one of the world's 20 largest economies or a country with a military force and an important political force, Saudi Arabia is the only country among three alliances; Islamic, Arab and GCC Alliance and has an exceptional position in these Alliances. HRH the Crown Prince said that these relations with our allies in the Middle East, France and Europe will undoubtedly be very important to confront all challenges on the political side. On the defense side, he said that there are many initiatives that we are working on, especially in the Sahel countries. We have warned repeatedly in the last three years of the danger of the transfer of terrorism to the Sahel countries because most countries in this region have weak economies and security. It will have a very easy spread of terrorism and we will face a very large forest of terrorism that affects Europe and affects the Middle East, HRH the Crown Prince said. "The initiative of President of France to take this matter seriously has been widely welcomed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and full support in all directions", he said. HRH the Crown Prince stressed that the economic relationship between the two countries is very important today in the presence of a very strong change and renewal project in France and a similar project in Saudi Arabia. He said that the kingdom has utilized only five percent of its potential adding, "There are 90 percent that we want to utilize in the oil sector, petrochemical sector, oil, gas, energy, mineral, transport, trade, privatization, local content, or investment sector, HRH the Crown Prince said. "There are a lot of potentials and initiatives in Saudi Arabia that are focused on the Saudi forces and capabilities and not on repeating any other model in the world," he said. HRH the Crown Prince said that, whether by opening the way for French companies to invest and work in Saudi Arabia or investing in France with the King's capabilities, there are many common benefits that will create jobs in the two countries, create economic growth in both countries and trade very positively. --More 01:59 LOCAL TIME 22:59 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1750719
