PARIS – Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir blamed Houthi rebels for the failure of Geneva peace talks. “The Geneva meeting was a first step that proved that Houthis were not serious about reaching a peaceful resolution of the issue with the legitimate government of Yemen. On the other hand, it was evident that they wanted to disrupt talks and continue their illegal domination over the Yemeni territories,” he said, adding that this is not at all acceptable to Yemenis or neighboring states or the international community. Al-Jubeir was addressing a joint press conference with the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius after their meeting here on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Al-Jubeir said that the Kingdom is optimistic about solving the Yemen problem peacefully. “The failure of first Geneva meeting does not mean that it is the end of the road. We hope that Houthis would come to wisdom and realize that the only way out of the current crisis in Yemen is through peaceful means,” he said, emphasizing that the solution to Yemen crisis must be based on the GCC initiative, the outcome of Yemen national dialogue and UN Security Council Resolution No. 2216. Replying to a question regarding the outcome of the visit of deputy crown prince to Moscow, Al-Jubeir said: “We are meeting and consulting with our allies about the region's issues, and we are coordinating our stances towards these issues. The deputy crown prince's visit to Russia was a bilateral visit where we discussed means of enhancing bilateral relations between the Kingdom and Russia. It was also an opportunity to consult with the Russian side on issues of mutual concern in the region, including Syria, Iran's negative acts in the region, the situation in Yemen and other issues.” Al-Jubeir stressed the keenness of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and French President Francois Hollande on enhancing bilateral relations in all fields, including political, security, military, economic and educational fields. He confirmed that there should be coordination and consultation between the two countries to find solutions to political issues, including the situation in the region and challenges facing the region and how to deal with them in the interest of the two countries. “There should also be coordination and consultation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, technology, armament, defense and military cooperation,” he added. Al-Jubeir reiterated the Kingdom's keenness on getting the best technology in the world in all fields in the service of its people and economy, pointing out that the Kingdom and France have a long history in the field of armament. He noted that all agreements between Saudi Arabia and France were signed between the two governments directly without any third party and without any mediator to ensure that the Kingdom is to get the best technology with best price. Al-Jubeir said that France's $3 billion Saudi-funded deal to provide military supplies to Lebanon has not been cancelled, despite delays caused by concerns that weapons could end up in the wrong hands. "There is an agreement... there is no blockage. Everything is proceeding normally,” he said. On his part, Fabius announced signing of several agreements in various fields, including the financing of an investment fund between the two countries. “We also seek to expand the base of energy investment in Saudi Arabia, especially the nuclear energy, where we presented a feasibility study for the construction of two nuclear reactors in the Kingdom. We will sign a nuclear agreement for the development of nuclear energy and another agreement on handling and disposing nuclear waste,” Fabius said. “There are contracts to develop Navy in the Kingdom, which are an essential part of the industrial and military relations between the two countries,” he said.
