Paris: Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Thanked French President Emmanuel on Friday long sign on english vowel For his “warm welcome” during talks in Paris that has angered rights groups.
“It gives me great pleasure to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me and the delegation accompanying me as I leave your friendly country.” bin salman A message posted by the Saudi Foreign Ministry reads.
Thursday evening’s dinner was the latest step in the diplomatic rehabilitation of the de facto leader of the Saudi Kingdom.
The 36-year-old West became a cripple after the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents inside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
Macron’s office did not make an official statement on the overnight talks, which were expected to focus on securing additional oil and gas supplies from the Middle East’s largest producer.
The prince is being loved again by Western leaders as they urgently seek new sources of fossil fuels to replace lost Russian production.
us President Joe Biden Earlier this month, a trip to Riyadh was met with similar criticism to Macron at home.
While Biden punched bin Salman in a gesture that critics confiscated, Macron shook hands on the steps of the Elysee Palace as he welcomed the prince.
“He has been shaking hands with a man whose hands are covered in blood for a long time,” senior leftist lawmaker Alexis Corbier told BFM television on Friday.
But aides to the French president defended a meeting that has been widely portrayed as a demonstration of “realpolitique” – placing practical requirements above principles in foreign policy.
Analysts say Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries with the potential to increase its oil production worldwide, although its margins for maneuvers are thought to be limited.
“There are countries that do not share the same democratic values as France,” Public Service Minister Stanislas Guerrini, a close aide of the president, told Europe 1 radio on Friday.
“But I believe it would be a mistake not to talk, not to try to do things,” he said.
The president’s role was “to protect the French people”, he said.
“French values, the voice of France, human rights were carried by the president last night as usual,” he said.
Amnesty International chief Agnes Callamard told AFP she felt “very upset by the trip”.
A UN investigation described Khashoggi’s killing as “an extraordinary murder for which Saudi Arabia is responsible”.
US intelligence agencies determined that MBS had “approved” the operation that led to Khashoggi’s death. Riyadh denies this, accusing the gangsters.
“I am disgraced and annoyed that Emmanuel Macron Welcoming the executioner of my fiancé Jamal Khashoggi with all the honours.”
The French president first hosted MBS in 2018, when he took him to an art exhibition at the Louvre Museum, and traveled to the state in December 2021 for further talks.
A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Saudi strongman stayed overnight at his Louis XIV chateau in Louvaisciens, west of Paris, which he acquired in 2015.
Despite its name, the palace was only built in 2009 by a company headed by Khashoggi’s cousin Imad, and was described as “the most expensive house in the world” at the time of purchase.
“It gives me great pleasure to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me and the delegation accompanying me as I leave your friendly country.” bin salman A message posted by the Saudi Foreign Ministry reads.
Thursday evening’s dinner was the latest step in the diplomatic rehabilitation of the de facto leader of the Saudi Kingdom.
The 36-year-old West became a cripple after the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents inside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
Macron’s office did not make an official statement on the overnight talks, which were expected to focus on securing additional oil and gas supplies from the Middle East’s largest producer.
The prince is being loved again by Western leaders as they urgently seek new sources of fossil fuels to replace lost Russian production.
us President Joe Biden Earlier this month, a trip to Riyadh was met with similar criticism to Macron at home.
While Biden punched bin Salman in a gesture that critics confiscated, Macron shook hands on the steps of the Elysee Palace as he welcomed the prince.
“He has been shaking hands with a man whose hands are covered in blood for a long time,” senior leftist lawmaker Alexis Corbier told BFM television on Friday.
But aides to the French president defended a meeting that has been widely portrayed as a demonstration of “realpolitique” – placing practical requirements above principles in foreign policy.
Analysts say Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries with the potential to increase its oil production worldwide, although its margins for maneuvers are thought to be limited.
“There are countries that do not share the same democratic values as France,” Public Service Minister Stanislas Guerrini, a close aide of the president, told Europe 1 radio on Friday.
“But I believe it would be a mistake not to talk, not to try to do things,” he said.
The president’s role was “to protect the French people”, he said.
“French values, the voice of France, human rights were carried by the president last night as usual,” he said.
Amnesty International chief Agnes Callamard told AFP she felt “very upset by the trip”.
A UN investigation described Khashoggi’s killing as “an extraordinary murder for which Saudi Arabia is responsible”.
US intelligence agencies determined that MBS had “approved” the operation that led to Khashoggi’s death. Riyadh denies this, accusing the gangsters.
“I am disgraced and annoyed that Emmanuel Macron Welcoming the executioner of my fiancé Jamal Khashoggi with all the honours.”
The French president first hosted MBS in 2018, when he took him to an art exhibition at the Louvre Museum, and traveled to the state in December 2021 for further talks.
A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Saudi strongman stayed overnight at his Louis XIV chateau in Louvaisciens, west of Paris, which he acquired in 2015.
Despite its name, the palace was only built in 2009 by a company headed by Khashoggi’s cousin Imad, and was described as “the most expensive house in the world” at the time of purchase.