Sunday, July 12, 2026

Wael Al-Otaibi - Jeddah:

The celebration held by the Consulate General of the French Republic in Jeddah on the occasion of the French National Day was not just an annual national event; this year it carried an exceptional historical significance, coinciding with the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic. One hundred years of dialogue and trust, during which the relationship between the two countries has transformed into one of the most deeply rooted and influential partnerships in the regional and international arenas.

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The ceremony, held at Dar France in Jeddah, was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah; Fares Al-Shahri, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs branch in the Makkah region; along with a number of Their Excellencies consuls general and diplomats, figures from various sectors, friends of the consulate, and members of the French community.

In his speech, the Consul General of France in Jeddah, Mr. Mohamed Nahhas, affirmed that Franco-Saudi relations were not built on transient political considerations, but rather established on mutual respect, trust, and a shared desire to build lasting bridges between the two countries and peoples. He said that the centennial celebration represents an occasion to recall a long journey of cooperation that has never ceased to evolve, keeping pace with the major transformations the world has witnessed.

He pointed out that the opening of the first French consulate in Jeddah in 1839 reflects the depth of France's historical presence in the region, while the year 1926, during the reign of the founding King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud - may God rest his soul - marked the official beginning of diplomatic relations that quickly developed into a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Over a full century, the two countries succeeded in building a model of balanced relations that combine shared interests and mutual respect, based on continuous dialogue and coordination on international issues, along with growing cooperation in economics, investment, energy, defense, culture, education, science, and innovation.

Today, Saudi-French relations are experiencing an unprecedented momentum, driven by the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the broad opportunities it offers for cooperation with international partners. French companies have become active partners in several major national projects, while cooperation is expanding in areas of clean energy, sustainable economy, advanced industries, artificial intelligence, transportation, and tourism.