Saudi crown prince, French president issue joint statement to boost strategic partnership

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement at the conclusion of the crown prince’s official visit to France on August 23 and 24, 2026.

During their talks, both sides emphasized their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and France, noting the centenary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They reiterated their hope that this partnership would help address regional and international challenges, while fostering mutual trust and respect.

Launch of strategic partnership council and new initiatives

The crown prince and the French president co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council, launching new initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation across all fields. They stressed the importance of stability in the Middle East, upholding state sovereignty, and prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions to conflicts.

Shared positions on regional issues

• Regional security and Iran: Both sides underscored the need for negotiated solutions to crises and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, calling on Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
• Strait of Hormuz: The two leaders condemned attacks on ships and threats to maritime routes, emphasizing the need to restore normal navigation without the imposition of fees or restrictions.
• Palestinian issue: Both parties welcomed the agreement to disarm Hamas and called for its implementation, stressing the importance of a ceasefire and the flow of aid to Gaza, and voiced support for the establishment of a Palestinian state along 1967 borders.
• Lebanon: The two sides agreed to support settlement efforts and strengthen Lebanese state institutions, reaffirming support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
• Yemen: Both parties reiterated support for Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and UN efforts, condemning Houthi attacks on infrastructure and vital facilities in the Kingdom, as well as assaults on ships.
• Sudan and Syria: The leaders stressed the importance of ending the Sudanese crisis, supported Syria’s unity and stability, and welcomed the establishment of a joint Saudi-Syrian-French business council.

Strengthening economic, defense, and technology cooperation

The two sides adopted a declaration to enhance defense cooperation and highlighted robust economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching $11.8 billion in 2025. They emphasized the importance of collaboration in energy, oil, petrochemicals, renewables, nuclear energy, and clean hydrogen, as well as climate issues and emerging technologies.

Both parties welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Qiddiya Investment Company to develop a major global destination in Cergy-Pontoise, France, with an investment of up to 6 billion euros. They also agreed to establish a financial framework to support French projects in the Kingdom and to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and capacity building.

Cultural and sports cooperation, support for Expo 2030

The two sides affirmed the importance of cooperation in AlUla and agreed to extend their partnership there until 2035. They praised the successful hosting of the Esports World Cup in Paris and welcomed France’s participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed in defense, health, emerging technologies, and entertainment.