President Zardari receives credentials of French, Saudi ambassadors-designate

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday received the credentials of the ambassadors-designate of France and Saudi Arabia at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with both countries.

According to a press release issued by the President’s Secretariat, Zardari received the credentials of France’s Jean-Noël Poirier and Saudi Arabia’s Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy. He congratulated both ambassadors on their appointments and wished them success in their diplomatic assignments.

“The president expressed confidence that they would contribute to strengthening Pakistan’s relations with their respective countries and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” the statement read.

During his meeting with Poirier, Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening ties with France, emphasising the importance of multilateralism, regular high-level exchanges and an independent bilateral relationship.

“The President highlighted opportunities to enhance trade, investment, parliamentary exchanges, educational and cultural links, and defence cooperation,” the statement added.

In his meeting with Albugamy, the president underscored the close strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to the Kingdom’s security and defence.

“He highlighted the importance of the Makkah Alliance for Defence and the institutional mechanisms underpinning bilateral cooperation,” the statement read.

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Zardari also stressed the need to deepen economic ties, appreciated Saudi Arabia’s financial support and assistance with oil supplies, and highlighted the contribution of the Pakistani community in the Kingdom.

The president expressed confidence that relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would reach new heights during the ambassador’s tenure.

On August 7, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye formalised their longstanding strategic relationship through the newly signed MJDA, a trilateral security framework that its proponents describe as a defensive arrangement aimed at strengthening collective deterrence, enhancing military cooperation and promoting regional stability.

Significance of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement

The MJDA was the latest step in longstanding military and strategic cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. Signed in Makkah, the pact established a framework for collective deterrence and stipulated that an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be considered an attack on all three, while providing for wider cooperation across defence.

The agreement followed nearly a year of negotiations and came amid heightened instability across the Middle East. Turkiye and Pakistan had sought closer regional security cooperation, while Saudi Arabia had faced growing security concerns as conflicts spread across the region, threatening its territory, energy infrastructure and ambitious economic development plans.

For Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the trilateral pact is built on their Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed in September 2025. That agreement stated that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both” and committed the two sides to strengthening defence cooperation and joint deterrence.