Minister’s meeting with his highness Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (March 26, 2026)

Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke to his counterpart from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting at Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay.

The two ministers talked about the ongoing war in the Middle East, marked by strikes carried out against Iran by Israel and the United States, and missile and drone attacks carried out by Tehran in several countries of the region, particularly Saudi Arabia.

The Minister reiterated France’s very strong condemnation of Iran’s attacks on its neighbours and signalled France’s wholehearted solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in these circumstances.

The Minister emphasized the need to avoid any further extension of the conflict and recalled France’s commitment to de-escalation and a diplomatic solution. He repeated France’s readiness, when conditions allow and with its partners, to help guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which must be restored.

The two ministers also discussed the consequences of the war in the region, especially in Lebanon, and the need to support the authorities in the face of forces that challenge the sovereignty of the State.

Finally, they reaffirmed their desire to continue their close coordination in order to contribute to regional stability and ongoing diplomatic efforts.