Zardari welcomes French, Saudi ambassadors, vows stronger ties

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday received the credentials of France’s ambassador-designate Jean-Noël Poirier and Saudi Arabia’s ambassador-designate Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy at Aiwan-e-Sadr, expressing confidence that both diplomats would help strengthen Pakistan’s relations with their respective countries.

The president congratulated the ambassadors on their appointments and wished them success in their diplomatic assignments. He also emphasised the importance of expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

During his meeting with Poirier, Zardari highlighted the potential for stronger Pakistan-France relations through increased trade, investment and defence cooperation. He also stressed the importance of parliamentary exchanges, educational partnerships, cultural links and regular high-level diplomatic engagement.

The president reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism and maintaining an independent bilateral relationship with France. He expressed hope that the new ambassador would help explore further opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.

In his meeting with the Saudi ambassador-designate, Zardari underscored the longstanding strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to the Kingdom’s security and defence and highlighted the importance of existing institutional arrangements for bilateral cooperation.

The president also called for stronger economic engagement with Riyadh. He appreciated Saudi Arabia’s financial assistance and support through oil supplies, while acknowledging the contribution of the Pakistani community to the Kingdom’s development.

Zardari expressed confidence that bilateral relations would continue to grow during Albugamy’s tenure, particularly in economic, diplomatic and security-related fields.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have continued to deepen their defence partnership in recent years. Their Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, signed in September 2025, provides for closer defence cooperation and states that aggression against either country would be treated as aggression against both.

The subsequent Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye further expanded the framework for regional security cooperation. The arrangement aims to strengthen coordination, collective deterrence and military cooperation amid continuing security challenges in the Middle East.