March 10, 2006

THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES AND PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC INAUGURATE THE EXHIBITION OF MASTERPIECES OF ISLAMIC ARTS. KING ABDULLAH IBN ABDUL AZIZ STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EXHIBITION IN PROMOTING CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. PRINCE NAIF IBN ABDUL AZIZ: THE EXHIBITION DEMONSTRATES STRONG RELATIONS AT VARIOUS LEVELS BETWEEN THE KINGDOM AND FRANCE AND CONTRIBUTES TO ACTIVATING THE GENERAL FRAMEWORK OF COOPERATION BETWEEN BOTH COUNTRIES IN CULTURAL FIELDS. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and France's President Jacques Chirac patronized the inauguration of the ''Exhibition of Masterpieces of Islamic Arts Group'' organized by Supreme Commission for Tourism in cooperation with the Louvre Museum in the National Museum at King Abdul Aziz historical Center in Riyadh. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz paid a visit to France's President Jacques Chirac at the Guest Palace in Riyadh. Then King Abdullah accompanied the French president to King Abdul Aziz Palace. Upon arrival at the venue, they were received by Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region and Chairman of Board of Directors of King Abdul Aziz Foundation for Research and Archives; Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Secretary General of Supreme Commission for Tourism; Iyad Ibn Amin Madani, Minister of Culture and Information; Dr. Fahd Al-Sammari, the Foundation's Secretary General and a number of officials. They watched Saudi folklore dance (Ardha) and toured the Palace. The Monarch presented a documentary photo book of King Abdul Aziz as a memorial gift to the president. Prince Salman also presented a book titled Riyadh, Development and History, a documentary film of King Abdul Aziz in French and a copy of a rare document dated on 1927 on a message from French Consul in Jeddah praising King Abdul Aziz's efforts in achieving peace, unity and service of Muslims. At the National Museum, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the French president attended the inaugural ceremony. patronized the inauguration of the exhibition organized by the Supreme Commission for Tourism in cooperation with Paris-based Louvre Museum and the National Museum. The exhibition includes masterpieces of Islamic arts kept by Louvre. They cut a ribbon marking the inauguration. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and President Jacques Chirac toured the exhibition and were briefed on its contents. King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, stressed the importance of the exhibition in promoting cultural understanding between the two countries. President Jacques Chirac president was taken around the museum by Prince Sultan Ibn Salman, the SCT secretary-general, and French delegates. Prince Sultan presented, on behalf of Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of the Interior and Chairman of the SCT's board of directors, souvenirs to King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and President Jacques Chirac. In remarks on a visit book, President Chirac expressed his admiration for the exhibition, noting that the exhibition comes in appreciation of the great Islamic culture. The ceremony was attended by Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdul Aziz, princes, ministers, senior officials and the president's accompanying delegation. French President Jacques Chirac and the accompanying delegation visited Al-Dir'eyyah province within the framework of his current official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On arrival at Al-Dir'eyyah, the French President was greeted by Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Secretary General of the Higher Tourism Commission, and Prince Ahmad Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Saud, the Governor of al-Dir'eyyah province. President Chirac and the accompanying delegation were briefed on the historical sites which include ancient palaces and antiquities. Earlier, President Jacques Chirac and the accompanying delegation visited the farm of al-Ozeibat in al-Dir'eyyah province. Prince Sultan Ibn Salman handed over memorial gifts to Chirac and his wife Bernadette. On this occasion, of the inauguration of the ''Exhibition of Masterpieces of Islamic Arts Group'' by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and France's President Jacques Chirac, Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Commission's Board of Directors welcomed the patronization of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and his guest, the French president, noting that the patronization comes within the framework of the King's continual support and care for heritage and culture in general and the Islamic heritage and culture in particular. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz stressed that the exhibition demonstrates strong relations at various levels between the Kingdom and France and contributes to activating the general framework of cooperation between the two countries in cultural fields. Prince Naif noted that the Commission has prepared a comprehensive strategy for the development of antiquities and museums and forwarded it to the concerned bodies for approval. On his part, Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Commission's Secretary General commended the King's patronization and the French president's attendance and pointed out that the exhibition aims at acquainting the public with the Islamic Arts Group being displayed in Paris-based Louvre Museum, indicating that the exhibition includes 120 rare Islamic pieces. On the other hand the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and French President Jacques Chirac have approved organization of an exhibition on the master pieces of the Saudi antiquities at Louvre Museum in mid-2007. This was announced by Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Secretary General of the Higher Tourism Commission, in a press statement. He noted that the national museum will host 120 rare Islamic antiquities. Highlighting the importance of arts and culture in enhancing international relations, Prince Sultan Ibn Salman said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an important commercial and religious center, and it is an open gate for various nations of the world. He also said arrangements are underway to develop the national museum and to enhance its cooperation with other exhibitions in the field of training and research. "We are also planning to open five museums in some regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," he said. 'The Kingdom is not only an oil country, but it is also a nation which includes the Two Holy Mosques, and it is a country of great culture and heritage', he elaborated. In Riyadh France's President Jacques Chirac held a meeting with Saudi businessmen and chairmen of Saudi chambers of commerce and industry. Welcoming the French president, the Chairman of Saudi Council of Commerce and Industry Chamber Abdul Rahman Ibn Rashid Al-Rashid commended commercial and investment relations binding the two countries, noting that these relations have witnessed an important turning point following the historical visit paid by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz to France in 2005. On his part, the Chairman of Saudi-French Business Council Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullatif Al Al-Sheikh described the president's visit to the Kingdom as an extension to the distinguished and historical relations between the two countries. In his speech, the French president said that during his visit to the Kingdom, he will express his sincere friendship to the King and stress his country's support for the ways which he has set for the Kingdom's policy. The visit came within the framework of a regular dialogue based on confidence with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques built over many years on which I attach great importance, the president said and added that the visit embodies close relations existing between the two countries. He emphasized the importance of the Kingdom, which is considered a major player at the international arena with regard to its qualitative weight or its role promoting moderation in a troubled area. He also described the Kingdom as an important partner to confront new challenges in a world witnessing many changes. President Chirac also commended the Kingdom's position as an economic and prosperous power that enjoys the respect for its major role contributing to achieving stability in oil markets. He noted that the Kingdom is the second trade partner to France in the Middle and Near East. He pointed out that he urged French companies to increase their commitment to the Saudi markets and to convince Saudis with the French distinguished expertise and will for enhancement of cooperation. The French president stressed that the joint goal is to double the presence of French companies in the Kingdom, noting that there are more than 60 companies employing more than 12000 persons. Following is the speech by Mr Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic on the occasion of the Franco-Saudi Economic Meeting organised by the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry Presidents, I would first of all like to say how touched I was by the warm words extended to myself and to France. They are very encouraging and I thank you for them. The invitation made by His Majesty, King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines, grants me the opportunity to convey my dedicated friendship toward him and, at the dawn of his reign, to affirm France's support for the political direction that he has given the Kingdom. This visit is part of a regular and genuine dialogue that His Majesty and I have entertained for many a long year; a dialogue to which I attach the utmost importance. It also attests to the close ties that bind Saudi Arabia and France. As a key player on the international stage, not only because of its own sway, but also because of its role as a moderator in a troubled region, Saudi Arabia represents, for France, a major partner in the face of the new challenges posed by a world undergoing profound change. My discussions with its leaders have shown me the Kingdom's economic orientations, its ambitious plans for reform and its will to determinedly follow through with the necessary diversification of the Saudi economy. I am also delighted to meet with those who represent the Kingdom's driving force. It was my wish that this happen in the presence of French business leaders from some of the most prestigious enterprises, who have been kind enough to accompany me. So I thank you for your welcome. As an economic power in full expansion, well respected for its essential and stabilising role in the oil markets, Saudi Arabia has all the assets required to meet this century's economic challenges. Along the way, you are going to reap the benefits of the momentum recently gained through the Kingdom's joining of the WTO. It means that your market will witness the arrival of many foreign competitors, be they industrial investors, merchants or even service sector companies. It is indeed a challenge. But I am convinced that Saudi businesses will prove capable of adapting to this new environment. Already, the market liberalisation initiatives undertaken by the Saudi government, at the behest of His Majesty, are encouraging for business. I am thinking in particular of the accelerated privatisation process or indeed the overhaul of the main texts governing the capital market, the labour market or foreign investment. All these developments have created a climate of confidence, which has been welcomed by international observers. Given these successes, I believe that the time has come for our economic relations to be commensurate with our excellent political relations. Our bilateral relations are longstanding and noteworthy: Saudi Arabia is France's second-largest trading partner in the Middle East. And the considerable development of our trade in 2005 shows that we are on the right track. But the relative weakness of French exports and investment in the Kingdom, and the as yet under-diversified nature of our trade, indicates that there is still some way to go. This is the message that I bring to you today: a message to encourage French firms to further their involvement in the Saudi Arabian market; to convince our Saudi friends of the excellence of France's know-how, and of our desire for closer cooperation. French firms are at the cutting edge of knowledge and innovation. They can pride themselves in the many examples of successful skill transfers that they have achieved, both in the Kingdom and in other countries in the region. When it comes to aeronautics and defence, our two countries have succeeded in forging strong and lasting ties. French companies such as Thalès, Dassault, and Eurocopter are ready to share their expertise with Saudi Arabia. We also hope to intensify our partnerships in the energy sector: the expertise of Total, or of the French Oil Institute (IFP), is at your disposal. In terms of infrastructure, French firms, as you know, possess unparalleled expertise and are able to meet your every need. You will have heard of names such as Alstom for energy and transport, Vinci for large projects, Véolia and Suez for water and sanitation, Alcatel for telecommunications networks: these companies, along with many others, anticipate contributing to the fruition of your ambitious investment programmes. France, home to Europe's second-largest industrial base, has many and varied areas of expertise: the agro-food industry, with Danone and Lactalis; electrical material, with Schneider; advanced materials, with Saint-Gobain. The financial sector is yet another very promising area for cooperation. With Calyon, which has invested in Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) since 1977, and whose very name attests to the friendship that exists between our two countries. With BNP Paribas, Axa and numerous others, France, which can pride itself on having some of Europe's most successful financial corporations, hopes to deepen its relations with Saudi Arabia. The same goes for the service sector, which is at the heart of the Saudi economic diversification strategy being undertaken by your authorities. In this area, France boasts such firms as Sodexho, Casino and Accor, whose expertise is well renowned. Our shared objective is to heighten the presence of French companies in Saudi Arabia as well as broaden their field of activity. Sixty French firms are already present here; they employ over 12,000 people. We can and must do much better than this, so as to contribute to Saudi Arabia's spectacular development, and to take full part in a priority that we see as crucial for Arabia's future: the nation-wide drive to create employment for the youth of Saudi Arabia. My wish, then, is for this growth to continue and lead to a greater French presence, be it in the form of industrial investments, the formation of joint enterprises or the development of trade partnerships. France, which has opted for an open economy, would naturally like to welcome Saudi investors in great numbers. The quality of France's labour force and technology, the strength of its internationally-minded and modern economy, its choice to adopt the euro a strong, stable currency: these are all reasons to look toward France as an investment option. I know that I can count on Arabia's network of Chambers of Commerce and Industry to support this ambition, as well as on the Franco-Saudi Affairs Council, designed to be an instrument of dialogue and exchange. Placed under the aegis of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry and of the French Business Conferedation (MEDEF), and under the dynamic leadership of its President, Mr Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, the Franco-Saudi Affairs Council is to play an ever greater role in developing our exchanges and in strengthening our bilateral trade relations. Presidents, Allow me to finish by sharing a message of friendship with the Saudi people; a message from myself, from my accompanying delegation and from the French people. Economic projects may be bound to serve the interests of both parties, but they also offer our dialogue and our partnership a whole new dimension. Indeed, they contribute to exchanges among people, and therefore to greater understanding and to the dispelling of misapprehensions that stem from distance and ignorance. Both of our peoples have ancient and prestigious cultures which can enrich one another, given that we approach our differences in a spirit of curiosity, tolerance and respect. So these differences, rather than driving us apart, will bring us closer together, creating fresh solidarity between us. At a time when more and more incomprehension is apparent in a world that is ever more open and interdependent, it is up to us to promote this call for dialogue and respect for one another's convictions, which lies at the heart of our cultural traditions. Thank you.