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3 weeks ago
16
Your Royal Highness, Deputy Governor of Riyadh
Madame l’ambassadrice de France pour le Yemen,
Dear compatriots,
Dearest friends of France,
Today, as the French people will soon celebrate their National Day, we are here to honor a very special bond, the deep and sincere friendship between our two nations.
On this solemn occasion, I kindly ask Your Royal Highness to convey, on behalf of the President of the French Republic Mr. Emmanuel Macron, our respectful salutations to His Majesty King Salman BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed BIN SALMAN, whose vision and leadership are shaping the future of this great Kingdom.
France also extends its fraternal greetings to the authorities and to the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
I feel this friendship at every moment of my mission here. It is expressed in simple gestures, in the warmth of your welcome, in the generosity of our exchanges, and in the depth of our conversations. It speaks of trust, of goodwill, of kindness, and of the deep respect that bring our two peoples together.
Last year was marked by a key moment : the State visit of President Emmanuel Macron in December. A visit that made our bond even stronger. A visit that further deepened our ties and reminded us how strong, confident, ambitious, and future-oriented the relationship between France and Saudi Arabia is, truly.
Because France does not see Saudi Arabia only as a land of opportunity, though our economic partnerships are many and fruitful. Saudi Arabia is much more.
France sees a partner.
A partner in thought, in vision, in transformation.
A key player in a changing world, which whom we share responsibility for building the future.
But there is something more personal, more intimate, and perhaps even more precious.
In every encounter, at each meeting, I am touched by the affection you express for my country.
This connection goes beyond words. It is made of memories, impressions, and emotions.
Many of you carry warm memories of France. Childhood trips, family holidays in our mountains or countryside, joyful moments in the streets of Paris, at a café terrace or on the bright roads of the Southern France.
You know our craftsmen, our cuisine, our designers, our heritage, our way of life.
You speak of our landscapes with tenderness.
Every Saudi I meet carries in his heart a piece of France.
A home in Paris, a summer in Cannes, a childhood spark at Disneyland or in a village in Provence.
And always the simple memory of happy times.
This, I must say, touches us deeply. Because it means our relationship is alive, living, and meaningful. It is neither a diplomatic abstraction, nor a business contract. It is a shared story.
And such a bond brings responsibility. It commits us to what we represent to one another. It reminds us that France and Saudi Arabia do not simply observe each other from a distance.
We engage, we move forward, we build. Together.
In the face of global challenges, in the face of the endless tragedies in the Middle East that shock and revolt us, we speak with one voice.
A voice for peace, for stability, for dignity.
Because we believe peace is never impossible. That peace is a duty, a responsibility
That the future must be built through dialogue, mutual understanding, and a shared will for justice.
In this spirit France and Saudi Arabia have joined efforts to help Lebanon out of institutional deadlock, to prevent Syria or Yemen from falling into chaos, to work for the recognition of a Palestinian State.
Because lasting peace cannot exist without justice, and the region cannot know stability without hope for the Palestinian people.
Together, we take responsibility in standing for a strong political solution based on international law, rooted in dialogue, that restores human dignity.
I also want to address the Saudi youth, this generation full of energy, creativity, ideas, and ambition.
You are the future of a Kingdom that is moving, transforming, and innovating.
I meet many of you, and I am always impressed by your intelligence, your curiosity, your desire to engage, to connect, to build, to dream big while staying true to your roots.
With you, we want to build the bridges of tomorrow, bridges of ideas, projects, and shared passions.
Mes chers compatriotes,
C’est avec un sentiment particulier que je m’adresse à vous qui incarnez ici le visage vivant et exigeant de la France. Vous êtes des milliers, engagés dans des domaines aussi divers que l’ingénierie, l’énergie, l’éducation, la santé, la culture, la langue française et bien d’autres secteurs. À travers vos parcours, vos talents et vos choix de vie, vous contribuez chaque jour à renforcer les liens entre nos deux nations.
Vous vivez ici, au plus près d’un pays complexe, profond et souvent méconnu. Un pays dont la richesse ne se dévoile qu’à ceux qui l’observent avec patience, loin des jugements hâtifs et des regards superficiels. Et je sais que beaucoup d’entre vous ont appris à l’aimer avec respect et fidélité.
Votre diversité, votre engagement et votre attachement aux valeurs de la République sont autant de forces précieuses. À travers vous, c’est la France que l’on perçoit : une France ouverte, respectueuse des différences, fière de ses idéaux de liberté et de tolérance. Et à cet égard, permettez-moi aussi de remercier celle et ceux, autour du proviseur, qui ont accepté de prendre des responsabilités au sein du nouveau comité de gestion de l’Ecole française internationale de Riyad, qui est l’un des symboles vivants de la France en Arabie.
A vous toutes et tous, je veux donc exprimer ce soir toute ma reconnaissance, sans oublier un salut chaleureux aux partenaires qui ont apporté leur généreux concours à la célébration qui nous réunit ce soir, et que je remercie une fois encore pour leur fidélité.
Ma gratitude va également aux équipes de l’ambassade et des consulats en Arabie Saoudite qui mettent leur énergie, leurs compétences et leurs talents à votre service. Je leur redis ce soir l’honneur et le plaisir de travailler à leurs côtés.
Chers compatriotes, vous êtes les porte-drapeaux de notre pays. Grâce à vous, la nation française reste une présence vivante, incarnée, une communauté de femmes et d’hommes qui se battent et démontrent leurs talents. Ensemble, continuons à la faire rayonner.
Tonight, I want to say again how much France admires the path Saudi Arabia is taking, a path of transformation, of modernization, of pride in its roots. And how proud we are to walk some of that road with you.
As our two peoples grow closer, as our youth connect, as our artists, researchers, entrepreneurs and diplomats are working together every day, we know this relationship is strong.
It is like no other.
Because it is built on trust and on human connection ties.
Because it is rooted in shared memory and firmly oriented toward the future.
Because it has a soul.
To our friendship,
To our peoples,
And to a shared future,
Long live Saudi Arabia, Vive la France.
