Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, concluded on Wednesday a three-day visit to France where he held talks with President Emmanuel Macron and several senior officials. Saudi Arabia and France released a joint statement at the conclusion of his trip, agreeing on the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The statement, obtained by the Saudi Press Agency, added that the two leaders discussed the steps that will be taken to curb Irans ballistic program and stop its destabilizing regional policy. They said that supplying militias, as well as armed groups, including the groups classified as terrorist organizations by the UN, with arms and support is unacceptable. They stressed that Iran must abide by international laws and principles regarding good neighborliness and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. With regard to Yemen, both sides stressed the need for a political solution according to UN Security Council Resolution 2216, to end the suffering of the Yemeni people. The two sides condemned ballistic missile attacks by the Houthi militias on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed the importance of compliance of the countries providing the Houthi militias with weapons and ballistic missiles, with relevant UN resolutions prohibiting such acts. The two sides reiterated the importance of supporting efforts of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Yemen to reach a political solution to the crisis. France, for its part, voiced its readiness to support the Coalition Supporting the Legitimacy in Yemen and UN agencies to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid to all Yemenis, including $1 billion humanitarian response plan committed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Moreover, the Kingdom and France agreed to organize an international conference in Paris on humanitarian aid in Yemen. The two sides also discussed the current situation in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta, including the recent reports on chemical weapons. The two sides called upon the international community to hold the involved in these attacks accountable. The two countries reiterated their stance that the solution of the Syrian crisis must be based on a political solution based on Geneva 1 Declaration and Security Council resolution 2254. The two countries reiterated their firm commitment to confront extremism and terrorism, and combat their financing, including in the Sahel region. France praised the Kingdoms great support for the joint military force in five Sahel countries. On defense and security, the statement said that the wide-scale and multi-faceted security cooperation, has made counterterrorism a priority to both Saudi Arabia and France. Their close cooperation, in this regard, will expand regional efforts as well as multi-partite endeavors and making them more effective and they will work towards making the Paris Conference to combat terrorism funding, set to take place on 25-26 April, a success. France, also, will contribute to support Saudi Arabias efforts to upgrade its ministry of defense. Saudi Arabia and France also reiterated their readiness to bolster cooperation on the security and development of the Red Sea. They underlined their commitment to the stability, unity and sovereignty of Lebanon as reflected in their pledges and stances, at the CEDRE Conference held on April 6 in Paris, stressing the need for all Lebanese parties to abide by the principle of disassociation from the regional conflicts. With regard to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the two countries reiterated their call for a two-state solution based on the relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. Saudi Arabia and France share a common objective to realize peace and stability in the Middle East, continued the joint statement. The Saudi and French foreign ministers will work towards deepening consultations and coordination to back up political solutions. Saudi Arabia and France will work towards tackling world challenges facing international community, including climate change and human development and the joint action of the two countries will decisively contribute to these domains. The two sides stressed that the relationship between the two countries has been moved to new horizons because of the historic state visit paid by Prince Mohammed to France. Both sides said that they were looking forward to Macron’s visit to Saudi Arabia. Prince Mohammed’s visit to France was an opportunity to celebrate the long history of friendship and cooperation between Riyadh and Paris. The two countries commitments will open a new and promising chapter in their relationship by developing a new strategic partnership in the political, defense, security, economic, cultural, scientific and educational areas.