Joint Statement Issued at the Conclusion of HRH the Crown Prince's Visit to France
A joint statement was issued at the conclusion of the visit by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the French Republic, the text of which is as follows:
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, paid a state visit to the French Republic from August 23 to 24, 2026. During the visit, HRH the Crown Prince met with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, with whom he held an official session of talks, affirming their mutual aspiration to strengthen the existing strategic partnership between the two countries. They emphasized the historic depth of the relationship between France and Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the centenary of the establishment of political relations between the two countries.
They reaffirmed their shared ambition that the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and France, which was announced during the state visit of the president of the French Republic to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 2 to 4, 2024, gave a new momentum to the friendship, trust, and mutual respect between the two countries, and respond to their common interests and to the challenges facing the world and the Middle East region.
The two leaders presided over the first meeting of the French-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council. On this occasion, they launched new initiatives, details of which are recorded in the Council's minutes, aimed at strengthening ties in all areas of cooperation.
The two leaders expressed their shared vision for stability in the Middle East, based on the sovereignty of states, respect for international law, and the pursuit of political and diplomatic solutions to conflicts and security threats.
Regarding Iran, they emphasized the necessity of a negotiated solution to avoid further escalation and ensure regional security. They reaffirmed their long-standing commitment to a diplomatic solution ensuring the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. They called on Iran to resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The two sides condemned the attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and threats to the security of waterways, and they stressed the importance of restoring navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to its normal state as it was before February 28, 2026, in terms of freedom of navigation, regular shipping traffic, and the absence of any direct or indirect tolls, restrictions on passage, in accordance with international law.
They welcomed the announcement of an agreement on the disarmament of Hamas and called on its implementation. The two sides emphasized the necessity of creating conditions for a sustainable ceasefire, ensuring the urgent, safe, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. They also emphasized the importance of preserving the unity of the Palestinian territories and rejected any attempt to undermine the Palestinian people's right to establish their independent state within the 1967 borders. Saudi Arabia and France called for an end to the Israeli settlement policy and settlers’ violence that threaten the two-state solution and reiterated their commitments to the full implementation of the New York Declaration. The two sides reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian Authority’s reform agenda and welcomed the announcement of legislative and presidential elections in Palestine.
They agreed to intensify their efforts towards a final resolution of the conflict in Lebanon, which must involve strengthening the Lebanese state and its institutions, as well as preserving Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They commended the steps taken by President of the Lebanese Republic Joseph Aoun, and the Lebanese government, headed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, in rebuilding state institutions and extending the authority of the state. They also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and security forces, with a view to enabling them to fully fulfil their national responsibilities. They stressed the importance of the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the need for the disarmament of all non-state armed groups to be successfully completed. They also stressed the need for Israel to withdraw from all Lebanese territory.
They reaffirmed their support for the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen and for the United Nations' efforts to achieve an inclusive and comprehensive solution to the crisis. They condemned the Houthi targeting of civilian infrastructure and vital facilities in the Kingdom, and its attacks on ships. They affirmed their determination to preserve freedom of navigation. They also emphasized that the provocations of the Houthis worsen the humanitarian suffering of the Yemeni people. The French side affirmed its solidarity and full support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and stressed its rejection of any attacks on the Kingdom's territory.
On Sudan, both sides emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts to end the crisis and halt foreign interference in Sudan, thereby ensuring its security and stability, preserving its sovereignty and independence, and safeguarding its territorial integrity and the integrity of its institutions.
They emphasized their commitment to the unity, stability, and economic recovery of Syria. They highlighted the importance of a robust institutional framework conducive to intensified economic investments and the opportunity of repositioning Syria as a bridge between Europe, the Gulf and Asia by building alternative routes. They specifically welcomed the establishment of a Saudi-Syrian-French business council.
In continuation of their historic defense cooperation, they adopted a declaration strengthening their defense cooperation, including in the field of armaments and training. They committed to increasing coordination to advance common interests and contribute to global security and stability.
The two sides commended the strength of economic and trade ties between the two countries, noting the growth of bilateral trade, which amounted to about $11.8 billion in 2025.
In the energy sector, both sides emphasized the importance of stability in global energy markets, security of supply, and the protection of maritime routes, while commending the Kingdom's role and efforts in enhancing the resilience of supply chains and the sustainability of energy sources. They also stressed the need to strengthen strategic cooperation in oil and petrochemicals, sustainable electricity generation (including energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, peaceful nuclear energy, clean hydrogen, and emission reduction and removal technologies), and capacity building in these areas. The two sides also emphasized the importance of cooperation on climate issues and related technology solutions. They also praised the existing trade relations and joint projects between the two countries and the need to strengthen them.
As France has become a leading investor in Saudi Arabia, particularly in sectors such as energy, water management, transportation, and logistics, the two countries have agreed to strengthen their economic ties and cross-investments. They stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between financial institutions and insurance and finance institutions in the two countries.
In this regard, both countries welcome Qiddiya Investment Company’s ambition to develop a major mixed-use, multi-park destination in Cergy-Pontoise, in the Île-de-France region, bringing together entertainment, leisure, hospitality, culture and sport within an integrated new destination. Current ambitions include up to three major entertainment anchors, hotels and complementary leisure experiences, for a total amount of around €6 billion over the development lifecycle.
The two sides also agree to establish a dedicated and efficient financial framework to support projects delivered by French companies in Saudi Arabia.
Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation across AI, quantum computing, emerging technologies, and capacity building.
As a symbol of the strength of this partnership, Saudi Arabia and France reaffirmed the importance of their exceptional cooperation on AlUla, within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, in particular in the fields of archaeology, heritage, and culture. In this regard, they decided to extend the Saudi-French partnership on AlUla until 2035 and work on an evolved framework that reflects the maturity of cooperation between the two countries and builds on the opportunities AlUla offers as a major cultural and heritage destination of the 21st century.
Saudi Arabia and France, pleased with the success of the third Esports World Cup held in Paris in summer 2026, reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation and partnership in culture, youth, and sports, while developing joint programs and activities between the two countries.
As part of the Expo 2030 Riyadh organized by Saudi Arabia, the president of the republic and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince welcomed France's participation in this historic event for Saudi Arabia. They agreed to make it a highlight of French-Saudi relations, also by involving the relevant stakeholders on both sides.
During the visit, both sides signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding in defense, healthcare, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and entertainment.
Both sides welcomed the outcomes of the French-Saudi Investment Roundtable Meeting, which concluded in the presence of HRH the Crown Prince and the president of the French Republic. The roundtable brought together leading CEOs and representatives of the Saudi and French private sectors to discuss joint projects and future prospects for cooperation between the two countries. The roundtable also reviewed opportunities for cooperation and investment in key sectors, including energy, industry, financial services, transport and logistics, health, culture, tourism, and artificial intelligence. Both sides further welcomed the announcement of 21 agreements and memoranda of understanding, reflecting the growing economic partnership between the two countries and opening new avenues for cooperation and joint investment.
