Background
France and Saudi Arabia have had a long diplomatic relationship, stretching back for centuries. The two countries have traditionally been close allies, with France providing Saudi Arabia with much of its military hardware and training. Relationship between the two countries has strengthened over the years, and France has become an increasingly important partner for Saudi Arabia in recent years.
Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Middle East region and an important trading partner for many countries. Due to its large population, the country has increasing demands for energy, food, and other commodities that often need to be imported from other countries such as France. Additionally, the two countries often cooperate on international issues, such as the fight against terrorism.
Relevant Data & Analysis
France has delivered a variety of military goods and services to Saudi Arabia, including fighter jets, ships, and other weapons systems. According to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute, France delivered $11 billion worth of military goods and services to Saudi Arabia between 2005 and 2017. This included numerous military contracts, such as the delivery of 30 Rafale fighter jets to the Saudi Royal Air Force in 2016.
French exports to Saudi Arabia are mainly in the aerospace and defence sector, however, French companies also operate in the kingdom’s oil and gas, automotive and energy sectors, among other areas. According to the ITC Trade Map, France exported over $5 Billion worth of goods and services to Saudi Arabia in 2019, up from $4.8 Billion in 2018.
France has also been an active participant in international efforts to impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia, such as the United Nations-led arms embargo. The country also took a leading role in negotiations to bring an end to the Yemen civil war. Additionally, France negotiated a Saudi-backed plan to combat terrorism and violent extremism in the region, and provided support for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan.
France and Saudi Arabia have also sought to strengthen their economic relationship. For instance, in 2018, the two countries signed an agreement to create a $9 billion development fund that was aimed at boosting investment in key sectors such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and health care.
Expert Perspectives
According to experts, France has been instrumental in helping Saudi Arabia meet its military and security needs. This includes providing the country with military hardware and services, as well as providing support for the kingdom’s reform program and development plans. At the same time, French firms have also benefited by increasing their exports to Saudi Arabia, and the two countries have sought to further strengthen their economic relationship.
“The relationship between France and Saudi Arabia has grown stronger over time,” said Dr. Ali Fadil, a research fellow at the University of Oxford. “France has been a key partner for Saudi Arabia in terms of security and defense, and has helped to develop the kingdom’s economy as well.”
Thomas R. Pickering, a former US Ambassador to the United Nations, agrees. “The relationship between France and Saudi Arabia has been mutually beneficial,” he said. “France has been able to meet its strategic needs by providing military goods and services to Saudi Arabia, while the two countries have been able to expand their economic relationship.”
Insight & Reflection
It is clear that France and Saudi Arabia have had a very close relationship for many years. The two countries have worked together to meet both their military and economic needs, and France has become an increasingly important partner for Saudi Arabia as the kingdom has sought to modernize and reform. Furthermore, France has been an active participant in international efforts to impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia, and has provided support for the country’s Vision 2030 reform plan.
At the same time, it is important that France remain mindful of the Saudi government’s human rights record, which has been criticized by many international organizations. France should be responding to the call to action from these organizations by increasing its pressure on the Saudi government to respect the human rights of its citizens.
Public Reactions
The relationship between France and Saudi Arabia has been met with mixed reactions from the public. While some have welcomed the close alliance between the two countries, others have criticized France, accusing it of “double standards” due to its strong ties to the Saudi government. Furthermore, some have also expressed concern about France’s involvement in large-scale weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.
“The fact that France is selling military hardware to Saudi Arabia is deeply troubling,” said Maryam Khoury, a Saudi activist. “It’s hypocritical for France to be supporting the Saudi government while at the same time claiming to uphold human rights and fight for democracy.”
Others argue that France’s close relationship with Saudi Arabia is ultimately beneficial for both countries, and that the two countries should continue to work together to benefit the region. “Although Saudi Arabia is not a perfect partner, the two countries have worked together on many issues,” said Sabeena Sami, a political analyst. “Continued cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia will be beneficial for the Middle East.”
Economic Impact
The close relationship between France and Saudi Arabia has had a positive economic impact on both countries. For instance, France has been able to increase exports to Saudi Arabia, while Saudi firms have benefited from increased investment from French companies. Additionally, the two countries have been able to develop mutually beneficial projects, such as the $9 billion development fund that was signed in 2018.
Furthermore, the close ties between the two countries have also had a positive effect on the region more broadly. France and Saudi Arabia have worked together to combat terrorism and violent extremism, as well as to develop strategies to promote economic growth and social development. This has helped to create a more stable and prosperous Middle East.
Political Landscape
The close relationship between France and Saudi Arabia has had an impact on the region’s political landscape. For instance, both countries have sought to use their partnership to influence regional politics. Saudi Arabia has leaned on France to support the kingdom’s foreign policy initiatives, while France has sought to use its close relationship with Saudi Arabia to influence events in the region.
At the same time, France has also sought to use its relationship with Saudi Arabia to promote its own strategic interests. France has used its alliance with Saudi Arabia to increase its own political and economic influence in the region. Additionally, the two countries have worked together to counter the influence of regional rivals such as Iran.
France and Saudi Arabia have also sought to strengthen their ties in recent years through increased military cooperation. France has provided the kingdom with much of its military hardware and training, while Saudi Arabia has sought to use French-supplied weapons systems to counter regional threats. This increased military cooperation has had a significant impact on the region’s geopolitical landscape.
Social Implications
The close relationship between France and Saudi Arabia has also had a significant impact on the region’s social landscape. For instance, increased economic and military ties between the two countries have allowed them to further develop their economies and create more jobs. This has had a positive effect on both countries, as it has allowed them to better provide for their citizens.
At the same time, the close alliance between France and Saudi Arabia has also been criticized, as some have argued that Saudi Arabia has used its close relationship with France to crack down on political dissent and human rights activists. Furthermore, some have expressed concern about France’s involvement in large-scale weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, arguing that these weapons are often used to suppress civilian populations.
France and Saudi Arabia have had a close relationship for many years, and this relationship has continued to grow stronger over time. The two countries have worked together to meet each other’s strategic needs, while also providing mutual economic benefit. At the same time, the relationship between the two countries has also been met with some criticism, as some have argued that the French government has not done enough to pressure the Saudi government on the issue of human rights.
