RIYADH: French Ambassador to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille on Wednesday met with the president of the Court of Appeals in Diwan Al-Mazalim, Obaid Al-Obaid. They discussed Saudi administrative justice reforms and future collaboration opportunities with France.
“Honored to have welcomed Sheikh Obaid Al-Obaid, President of the Court of Appeals in Diwan Al-Mazalim, highest administrative court. Exchanges on the reforms of the Saudi administrative justice and the cooperation perspectives with France,” the ambassador tweeted.
In an interview with Lebanese journalist Gaby Ltief for radio show Monte Carlo Doualiya earlier this month, Pouille discussed French-Saudi relations, the distinctive role that France plays in the Kingdom, especially in terms of culture and heritage, and the future of the French language in the country.
Pouille described French-Saudi relations as “historical and close,” stressing that they “witnessed a development in all fields, especially after the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Paris in April 2018 and his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.” He said the meeting gave new impetus to the strategic relationship.
On the culture and heritage sector, which is an essential part of the cooperation between the two countries, the French envoy noted the cultural development in the Kingdom since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, and said that culture has a special importance in French diplomacy and can build bridges between people.
He also touched on his many visits to heritage and touristic places in the Kingdom, where he discovered “treasures unknown in France.”
The ambassador expressed his optimism about the future of the French language and culture in the Kingdom, adding that the embassy team is developing language education through scholarships, teacher training and cultural events.
He also stressed the importance of Saudi Vision 2030 as an opportunity to strengthen relations with the Kingdom in all fields — including language and culture — highlighting that “the limits of relations between our two countries are the sky.”
Pouille also met with a Royal Court special advisor, Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, on Tuesday, where they discussed economic projects that fall under Saudi Vision 2030, highlighting strategic Saudi-French partnerships.
“Glad to have met with HE Mr. Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, special advisor at the Royal Court. Exchanges about the ambitious economic projects of Vision 2030 and the reinforcement of the strategic French-Saudi partnership, especially during the post-COVID-19 recovery period,” he tweeted.
