President Emmanuel Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Photo: France 24.
During Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to France on August 24, Saudi Arabia and France signed multiple agreements in defense, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, investments, tourism, and infrastructure. These agreements followed talks between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
In the defense sector, both parties agreed to enhance collaboration in new technologies, defense industry, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and military training. The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, and expanded cooperation in the development of the Al-Ula region in Saudi Arabia until 2035.
Saudi Arabia and France support the creation of a Palestinian state. Photo: ABC News.
In addition to economic cooperation, the two nations also issued a joint statement on several regional issues. Riyadh and Paris reaffirmed their support for the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, opposed further settlement expansion and violence by Israeli settlers, and called for a sustainable ceasefire and guarantees for unobstructed humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
Regarding Lebanon, both sides urged the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territories. Concerning Iran, both countries supported resolving Tehran’s nuclear program through negotiations and called on Iran to resume cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
In Syria, Riyadh and Paris committed to promoting stability and economic recovery and welcomed the establishment of a Saudi-Syrian-French joint business council to strengthen economic cooperation.
The agreements and declarations achieved during the visit are viewed as a step forward in the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and France, demonstrating the efforts of both nations to enhance cooperation in economic, technological, and defense sectors, as well as coordinate efforts in addressing security issues in the Middle East.