Saudi Arabia, France talk boosting military ties

Saudi and French defense ministers have held talks about expanding bilateral military cooperation. During a meeting with visiting French counterpart, Gerard Longuet, in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday, Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz lauded ‘solid relations between the two countries (, which) go back to 1926, based on common interests,’ state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. “We highly appreciate Saudi-French identical viewpoints on many of the issues supported by the communications conducted continuously through diplomatic channels on all issues of the region,” he added. The French minister emphasized Paris’ “keenness to strengthen its partnership with the kingdom in various fields.” Last month, French defense group, Nexter, announced that it had received a Saudi order for 73 Aravis armored vehicles, in the first successful deal for the product outside France.