SECRETARY GENERAL OF GULF COOPARATION COUNCIL MEETS FRENCH

Riyadh, June 16 (SPA) - Secretary General of Gulf Cooperation Council
Abdurrahman bin Hamad Al-Atiyyah held a meeting here today with
French Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Bertrand Besancenot
whose country assumes presidency of the European Union effective from
July 1st.

During the meeting, relations between Gulf Cooperation Council
countries and France were discussed in different fields and ways of
boosting and developing those relations to serve interests of both
sides especially concerning the current negotiations between Gulf
Cooperation Council countries and the European Union to sign an
agreement on free trade.

Secretary General of Gulf Cooperation Council briefed the French
Ambassador on efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to
complete these negotiations with the aim of signing them soon.

The meeting also discussed the latest developments and the
international issues of mutual concern.