DUBAI - Saudi Arabia is playing a key role in the Middle East region, a French presidency source said Tuesday while announcing French President Emmanuel Macron's upcoming tour of Saudi Arabia and some other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. "We cannot imagine an ambitious French policy toward the Middle East without a dialogue with the Kingdom," the source said. During the Saudi visit in the first week of December, President Macron will hold wide ranging talks with Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. Topics such as the ways to ease and reduce tensions related to the Iranian nuclear file, the Yemeni and Iraqi situations, and anti-terrorism fight will figure high in their talks. Macron will also discuss the Libyan and Lebanese issues with the Gulf leaders during his visit to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. The French source said that Macron's visit to the Kingdom is expected to achieve further boost in strengthening the French-Saudi partnership in AlUla development. Archeological digs have already been started as part of the first phase of the cultural collaboration in AlUla between the two countries. French Defense Ministry Spokesman Hervé Grandjean said in an interview with Al Arabiya that France and Saudi Arabia have tightly bound defense cooperation, as they share the same fight in combating terrorism. It is noteworthy that the Elysée Palace has announced on Friday that Macron will make an extensive tour of the GCC region with his official visits to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar on Dec. 3 and 4.
