RIYADH: A high-ranking French official has told Arab News that relations between his country and Saudi Arabia have never been so close.
Olivier Cadic, senator for French citizens abroad, vice president of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces, and president of the France–Gulf States Interparliamentary Friendship Group, made the comments on Sunday.
He was visiting the Kingdom at the head of a French parliamentary delegation that included senators Nathalie Delattre and Remy Pointereau. Following his meetings with Saudi officials, Cadic reflected on the Kingdom’s transformation, the state of Franco-Saudi relations and the prospects for cooperation between the two countries.
He said Saudi Arabia was among the fastest-transforming countries in the world. “This is my ninth visit to Saudi Arabia in 11 years. What strikes me on every trip is the speed of the country’s transformation,” he told Arab News en francais.
The senator especially highlighted the changes he had observed in the capital city, where development projects are multiplying under Vision 2030. According to Cadic, this modernization strategy “infuses an accelerated spirit of modernity” and reflects a clear ambition for economic diversification, innovation and openness to the world.
During his visit, he also emphasized the strength of the Franco-Saudi partnership, which he described as exceptional. “Relations between France and Saudi Arabia are excellent and have never been so close,” he said.
The senator said this was based on mutual trust and shared positions on several key regional issues. He also recalled the importance of solidarity between partners in times of difficulty.
“I wanted to stress that France does not forget the attacks Saudi Arabia has faced. In difficult times, partners must be able to rely on one another,” he said.
Paris and Riyadh notably share the backing of a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, concern over the prospect of Iran acquiring or using military nuclear weaponry, and a shared desire to see Lebanon regain full sovereignty and for Syria to return to stability.
“More broadly, France and Saudi Arabia defend multilateralism, respect for international law, and the territorial integrity of states,” said Cadic.
On the economic front, the senator believes cooperation prospects between France and Saudi Arabia are particularly promising. Sectors such as new technologies, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, tourism, culture and training are among the key areas.
“Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification is creating many opportunities for French companies, which have recognized expertise in these sectors,” he explained.
Mega-projects launched under Vision 2030 are opening new prospects in transport infrastructure, sustainable water management, decarbonized energy, healthcare and digital technologies.
Cadic also highlighted the emergence of new high-value-added areas of cooperation: “Cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia is now expanding into new sectors, including cultural and creative industries, artificial intelligence and even e-sports.”
He added that projects linked to the digital economy and youth perfectly illustrated the ability of both countries to build innovative and forward-looking partnerships together.
One of the most striking parts of his visit, said Cadic, was the mindset of Saudi officials and young people. He told Arab News: “I was particularly impressed by the confidence that drives Saudi officials and the country’s youth. There is a genuine desire to build the future and successfully achieve the ongoing transformation.”
The senator also praised Saudi hospitality and efforts to promote the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and improve its tourism appeal.
This cooperation is expected to continue growing. Cadic said bilateral exchanges had intensified in recent years, demonstrated by the increasing number of official visits. In particular, he highlighted a visit to France last year by a Saudi delegation.
“The role of parliamentary friendship groups is precisely to nurture this dialogue over time and encourage the emergence of new cooperation, whether economic, cultural, or institutional,” he said.
Asked about the current situation in the Gulf, Cadic said he believed Saudi Arabia plays a central role in a region facing multiple security and geopolitical challenges.
“The Gulf is evolving in a particularly complex regional environment,” he noted, referring to tensions linked to the Israel-Iran conflict.
In this context, he considers the Kingdom to be a stabilizing actor, favoring diplomatic solutions and initiatives that promote regional peace. Its economic, political, and diplomatic weight makes it “an indispensable actor in regional stability,” he said.
Finally, Cadic addressed the French community living and working in Saudi Arabia. He said: “I would like to express a message of confidence to our compatriots based in Saudi Arabia. They are fully contributing to the rapprochement between our two countries and to France’s influence abroad.”
The senator believes the opportunities offered by the Kingdom are considerable and that Franco-Saudi relations still hold exceptional potential for further development.
“More than ever, French citizens in the Kingdom are bridges between our two nations and valuable contributors to this future-oriented cooperation,” he concluded.
