Riyadh, March 4, SPA -- French President Jacques Chirac will create history at 11 A.M Sunday when he addresses the Saudi Shoura Council in Riyadh. Chirac, who arrives Saturday on his first visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since King Abdullah Bin Abdul-aziz became monarch last August, will have the honor of being the first foreign dignitary ever to address the Shoura Council, a consultative body. By selecting President Chirac to be the first foreign leader in history to address the Shoura Council, Saudi Arabia has shown great regard not only for the president but also for its deep-rooted relations with France, Elysse Palace spokesman Gerom Ponavom told The Saudi Gazette by telephone. Council members welcome the development as an impetus for change. Shoura Council member Dr. Sadaqa Sadel said that a qualitative change will be brought about in the Shoura Council process by allowing foreign dignitaries to address the council. Ponavom said that Chirac's three-day visit is primarily to discuss with King Abdullah the strengthening of the strategic Saudi-French partnership. King Abdullah is hosting a reception for Chirac Saturday evening. There are a lot of changes and developments taking place in the region, which necessitate intensive talks between the two leaders, Ponavom said. Chirac's high-level delegation includes his ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Foreign Trade and 20 directors of leading French multinational Companies. On Monday, Chirac will address the French-Saudi Business Council meeting in Riyadh. For the public, the highlight of Chirac's visit will be Sunday evening when he inaugurates a 5-day exhibition of 200 pieces of rare Islamic artifacts from the world famous Louvre Museum in Paris, at the National Museum in Riyadh.--SPA 11 32 Local Time 08 32 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/336438