Saudi Arabia and France Discuss Recent Developments
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The official Saudi Press Agency reported that Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met in Riyadh to discuss bilateral relations.
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Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Along with how to enhance bilateral relations, Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with French Foreign Minister Jean- Yves Le Drian in Riyadh to discuss regional and international developments.
The official news agency of Saudi SPA, reported on the meeting, adding that multiple Saudi and French officials were in attendance.
NGOs requests to investigate arms exports to Saudi and the UAE
Amnesty International reported that two non-governmental organizations and an investigative website had previously petitioned the Administrative Court in Paris to order the customs authority to publish documents related to French military equipment exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, citing the risks of using French weapons to commit "grave violations" in Yemen.
The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights and the Diselcos website warned that French weapons would be used to violate international humanitarian law against the civilians of Yemen.
The NGOs accuse the French customs authority of remaining silent on the quantities and final destinations of some French-made military equipment that has been proven to be used in the Saudi-led aggression on Yemen.
In November 2020, Amnesty International and 13 NGOs called to “end France’s opacity on arms sales.”
According to a study filed to Parliament on arms exports, France was the third-largest exporter of military equipment in the world in 2020, with orders totaling 4.9 billion euros.
That year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the first importer from France, with recorded orders worth around 704 million euros, while the UAE purchased weaponry worth 129.4 million euros.
