TUNIS: A leading French newspaper has called for France and Saudi Arabia to sign trade pacts that would benefit both countries during the visit of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
According to a report in a local publication on Tuesday, Le Monde said there was hope that previous agreements signed would be implemented, including the management of a water company in Riyadh and an energy distribution facility in Jeddah.
The report highlighted the high-level nature of the visit by Prince Mohammed and the Kingdom’s aim to restructure its economy under Vision 2030.
There were also details of the prince’s visit to the United States to meet US president Barack Obama and political and business leaders, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
It stated that French President Francois Hollande was aiming to increase the volume of trade between the two countries, in line with meetings of the Saudi-French Joint Committee, which had taken place this week, and previously in June and October of last year.
It said the Kingdom planned to establish a sovereign investment fund with a value of $2 trillion and the privatization of 5 percent of Saudi Aramco.
Le Monde calls for trade pacts
Le Monde calls for trade pacts
Saudi Arabia to host ‘dialogue’ between southern Yemeni factions
- The conference hopes to ‘develop a comprehensive vision’ to fulfill the aspirations of Yemenis
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry has invited factions in south Yemen to hold a dialogue in Riyadh to “discuss just solutions to the southern cause.”
The ministry statement said the conference in the Saudi capital had been requested by Rashad Al-Alimi, President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, and the Kingdom urged all factions to participate “to develop a comprehensive vision” that would fulfill the aspirations of the southern people.
The separatist Southern Transitional Council has recently seized territory in the governorates of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra.
Saudi Arabia said the STC action poses a direct threat to the Kingdom’s national security, and regional stability.
Earlier this week, the military coalition supporting Yemen’s government carried out airstrikes targeting a shipment of weapons and vehicles destined for southern separatist forces. The shipment arrived in the port of Al-Mukalla on two vessels.
Saudi Arabia has reiterated the only way to bring the southern cause to a resolution is through dialogue.
Gulf and Arab countries on Tuesday offered their support for the internationally recognized government in Yemen.
