PARIS: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday.
Following their meeting, a joint statement was issued in which France and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their strategic partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation across defense, investment, energy, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, culture and tourism.
The two sides stressed their shared vision for stability in the Middle East based on respect for state sovereignty, international law and diplomatic solutions. On Iran, they called for a negotiated solution to prevent further escalation and reiterated their support for a diplomatic settlement that ensures the peaceful nature of Tehran’s nuclear program. They also called on Iran to resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Riyadh and Paris condemned attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and stressed the need to restore freedom of navigation and regular commercial shipping through the waterway, without direct or indirect tolls or restrictions, in accordance with international law.
On Gaza, the two countries welcomed the announcement of an agreement on Hamas’ disarmament and called for its implementation. They also urged efforts to establish a sustainable ceasefire and ensure the urgent, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. France and Saudi Arabia called for an end to Israeli settlement activity and settler violence, while reaffirming their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and for reforms by the Palestinian Authority.
The statement also covered Lebanon, with both sides calling for efforts to strengthen state institutions and preserve the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They reaffirmed their support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and security forces, stressed the need to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and called for the disarmament of all non-state armed groups and an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
On Yemen, France and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their support for the Presidential Leadership Council and UN efforts to reach an inclusive political settlement. They condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping, and stressed the importance of preserving freedom of navigation. France also expressed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and rejected attacks on its territory.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to Sudan’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for intensified efforts to end the conflict and halt foreign interference. On Syria, they emphasized the importance of maintaining the country’s unity and stability, strengthening its institutions and supporting economic recovery, while welcoming the establishment of a Saudi-Syrian-French business council.
Economically, the two countries noted that bilateral trade reached approximately $11.8 billion in 2025 and agreed to strengthen investment and financial cooperation. They welcomed plans by Qiddiya Investment Company to develop a major mixed-use destination in Cergy-Pontoise in France’s Île-de-France region, combining entertainment, leisure, hospitality, culture and sport, with investment of around €6 billion over the project’s development lifecycle.
The two sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in AI, quantum computing and other emerging technologies, while extending the Saudi-French partnership on AlUla until 2035. They said the expanded partnership would build on cooperation in archaeology, heritage and culture and further develop AlUla as a major international cultural destination.
The statement said more than 22 agreements and memorandums of understanding had been announced during the visit, covering sectors including defense, health care, AI, emerging technologies and entertainment.
The two sides also welcomed the outcomes of a Saudi-French investment roundtable on Monday involving senior business leaders, which examined joint projects and investment opportunities across energy, industry, finance, transport, health, culture, tourism and AI.
Earlier on Monday, the crown prince met with France’s Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu at the Hotel des Invalides in the French captial.
After inspecting the Guard of Honor, the crown prince headed to the Elysee Palace where he will hold talks with Macron.
A meeting of the strategic partnership council will also take place.
