Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs met his French counterpart in Riyadh on Sunday.
Adel Al Jubeir and Jean-Yves Le Drian reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to develop them further, state news reported.
Before the global Covid-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabian exports to France were worth more than $6 billion a year, while France exported $3.5 billion of goods to the kingdom.
The ministers also discussed regional and international issues of common interest.
The reception was attended by Saudi Arabia's Director-General of the Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Member Khalid bin Musaed Al Anqari, Ambassador to France Fahd bin Mayouf Al Ruwaili and the Director General of the General Department for European Countries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Khuzaym.
The French embassy tweeted a picture of the "warm and friendly" meeting and said it highlighted the "close strategic partnership between France and Saudi Arabia".
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Falih paid an official visit to France on Thursday in an attempt to enhance investment and economic ties.
He said the kingdom's economy has "become open to national and foreign investments, at an unprecedented pace and size", according to the Saudi Press Agency. The aim is to provide investment opportunities in a variety of sectors.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
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The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
