PARIS, JULY 22, SPA -- Within the framework of bonds of strong friendship and close cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France, and the keenness of the leaderships of the two countries on enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, paid an official visit to France from July 19 to 22, 2006, in response to an invitation from French President Jacques Chirac, said the joint Saudi-French communique, issued here today at the end of the visit of Prince Sultan to France. In Paris, Prince Sultan met Premier Dominique DE Villepin,Defense minister MICHELE ALLIOT-MARIE, AND the SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. During the visit, issues pertaining to the bilateral relations between the Kingdom and France were reviewed, and the important outcome of the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to France in 2005 as well as the visit of Chirac to the Kingdom last march and the positive impact of these two visits on the strategic partnership between the two countries. The two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest at the regional and international arenas in a manner that positively contributes to enhancing the pillars of global security and stability. --MORE 22/07/2006 15:34 ت م www.spa.gov.sa/377382