French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday that he and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would co-chair a conference on the establishment of a Palestinian state in June.
“We have decided to co-chair a conference for the two states in June next year,” Macron said, referring to Israel and a potential Palestinian state.
“In the coming months, together we will multiply and combine our diplomatic initiatives to bring everyone along this path,” he added.
Responding to a question on whether France would recognize a Palestinian state, the French president said he would do so “at the right moment” and at a time “when it triggers reciprocal movements of recognition.”
“We want to involve several other partners and allies, both European and non-European, who are ready to move in this direction but who are waiting for France” he added.
Macron explained there was a simultaneous aim to “trigger a movement of recognition in favor of Israel,” which he said could “provide answers in terms of security for Israel and convince people that the two-state solution is a solution that is relevant for Israel.”
Saudi Arabia has said that it will not recognize Israel without an independent Palestinian state.
Rafale fighter jets
Macron also said that France and Saudi Arabia have the “will to move forward” on a deal to sell Rafale fighter jets to the Kingdom.
“In terms of security and defense, we have very clearly improved things… with the desire to move forward on the Rafale, which is a major change in the bilateral relationship,” he told reporters on the second day of a state visit to Saudi Arabia.
