MBS’s visit to France has been controversial, with President Macron being criticized by some in the country.
Energy is a key topic on the agenda between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during talks in Paris seen as the leader’s de facto diplomatic renaissance. of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Aides to the French President indicated ahead of Thursday’s talks that Macron would urge Saudi Arabia to increase oil production to help bring down crude prices, reiterating a request from US President Joe Biden in a statement. visit Riyadh in the first day of this month.
A statement by the president’s office on Friday did not explicitly mention oil or gas, but Mr Macron said it “emphasised the importance of continuing ongoing coordination with Saudi Arabia in relation to Saudi Arabia” diversification of energy supplies for European countries”.
With Russian oil and gas supplies either unavailable to European Union states due to sanctions or being rejected by Moscow, European countries are aggressively seeking alternative fossil fuel sources.
Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries worldwide that is able to increase its production.
The French statement said that Macron and MBS also discussed food security amid concerns about hunger due to loss of Ukrainian grainand agreed to work “to reduce the effects” of the war in Ukraine.
“The President and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia emphasize the need to end this conflict and strengthen cooperation to reduce influence in Europe, the Middle East and the wider world,” Macron’s office said.
The two leaders also discussed the war in Yemen. The French president praised what he said were Saudi efforts to “find a political, global and inclusive solution under the auspices of the United Nations and expressed hope that ceasefire continue,” the statement said.
‘Warm welcome’
MBS on Friday thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for the “warm reception”.
“As I leave your friendly country, I am pleased to express to you my deepest gratitude and appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality given to me and the accompanying delegation.” bin Salman wrote in a message posted by the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
The oil-rich country’s de facto leader is being courted again after being shunned by Western leaders Kill Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
Macron and Biden both attract criticism from human rights groups because of their partnership with the kingdom.
Biden held MBS’s hand in a gesture that was captured by critics, while Macron shook hands on the steps of the Elysee Palace as he greeted the prince.
“He’s been shaking hands with a man with bloody hands for a long time,” senior leftist French MP Alexis Corbiere told BFM television on Friday.
Khashoggi’s murder was described by a United Nations investigation as “an extrajudicial murder for which Saudi Arabia is responsible”. U.S. intelligence agencies determined that MBS was “Approved” operation leading to Khashoggi’s death.
Hatice Cengiz, who was about to marry the journalist when he was killed, said on Thursday she was “disputed and offended that Emmanuel Macron is receiving with all the honors that the executor of her fiancé is receiving. mine”.
The French president’s allies defended the meeting as an expression of “realism” – putting practical needs above foreign policy principles.
Public Service Minister Stanislas Guerini, a close ally of the president, told Europe 1 radio on Friday that the president’s role is to “protect the French people” and he believes that service has been perform.
