PARIS — Saudi Arabia and France called for a negotiated solution on Iran to prevent further escalation and safeguard regional security, while condemning attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and calling for the restoration of normal navigation through the strategic waterway.The two countries agreed to deepen their strategic partnership across defense, investment, energy, artificial intelligence and regional security, while welcoming the announcement of 21 agreements and memoranda of understanding during Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s state visit to France.A joint statement issued at the conclusion of the Crown Prince’s Aug. 23-24 visit said the two countries were marking 100 years of political relations and were seeking to build on their Strategic Partnership established during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Saudi Arabia in December 2024.The Crown Prince and Macron held official talks and chaired the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council, launching new initiatives aimed at expanding cooperation across a broad range of sectors.The two leaders reaffirmed a shared vision for stability in the Middle East based on respect for state sovereignty and international law, prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions to conflicts and addressing security threats. Iran and Strait of Hormuz On Iran, Saudi Arabia and France stressed the importance of reaching a negotiated solution to prevent further escalation and safeguard regional security.They reaffirmed their commitment to a diplomatic solution that guarantees the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program and called on Tehran to resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.The two sides also condemned attacks against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and threats to maritime security.They stressed the importance of restoring navigation through the strait to conditions prevailing before Feb. 28, 2026, including freedom of navigation, regular shipping movements and passage without direct or indirect fees or restrictions, in accordance with international law. Palestine Saudi Arabia and France welcomed the announcement of an agreement providing for the disarmament of Hamas and called for its provisions to be implemented.They stressed the need to establish conditions for a sustainable ceasefire and ensure the urgent, safe and unhindered flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the Gaza Strip.The two countries firmly rejected attempts to undermine the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent state along the 1967 borders and stressed the importance of preserving the territorial unity of Palestinian lands.They called for an end to Israeli settlement policies and settler violence, saying they threaten the two-state solution.Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to fully implementing the New York Declaration, backed the Palestinian Authority’s reform agenda and welcomed the announcement of legislative and presidential elections in Palestine. Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan and Syria On Lebanon, the two countries agreed to intensify efforts toward a final settlement of the conflict, strengthen Lebanese state institutions and preserve the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.They praised steps taken by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to rebuild state institutions and extend state authority.Saudi Arabia and France reiterated support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and security services and called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the complete disarmament of all non-state armed groups and Israel’s withdrawal from all Lebanese territory.On Yemen, they reaffirmed support for the Presidential Leadership Council and UN efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement. They condemned Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure and vital facilities in Saudi Arabia, as well as attacks against commercial shipping.France reiterated its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and rejected any attacks on the Kingdom’s territory.Regarding Sudan, the two countries called for intensified efforts to end the crisis and external interference while preserving Sudan’s security, stability, sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and institutions.On Syria, the two sides reiterated their commitment to the country’s unity, stability and economic recovery. They welcomed the establishment of a joint Saudi-Syrian-French Business Council and highlighted the potential for Syria to regain a role connecting Europe, the Gulf and Asia. Defense and energy cooperation Building on their longstanding defense relationship, Saudi Arabia and France adopted a declaration to strengthen defense cooperation, including in armaments and training, and pledged greater coordination in support of international security and stability.The two countries also highlighted bilateral trade, which reached approximately $11.8 billion in 2025.On energy, they stressed the importance of stable global energy markets, security of supply and protection of maritime routes.The two sides agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in oil and petrochemicals, sustainable power generation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, peaceful nuclear energy, clean hydrogen and technologies for reducing and removing emissions.They also agreed to expand cooperation on climate issues and related technological solutions. €6 billion Qiddiya project in France The two sides welcomed an MoU signed by Qiddiya Investment Company to explore the development of a major mixed-use global destination and theme parks in Cergy-Pontoise in the Île-de-France region.Initial plans envisage an integrated destination combining entertainment, leisure experiences, hospitality, culture and sports, with up to three major entertainment facilities alongside hotels and other attractions.Investment in the project could reach approximately €6 billion over its development period.Saudi Arabia and France also agreed to establish a dedicated financial framework to support projects carried out by French companies in the Kingdom.They further agreed to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, emerging technologies and capacity building. AlUla partnership extended to 2035 The two countries agreed to extend their partnership on AlUla until 2035, building on cooperation in archaeology, heritage and culture under Vision 2030.The joint statement said the evolved framework reflects the strength of bilateral cooperation and seeks to capitalize on AlUla’s potential as a leading cultural and heritage destination in the 21st century.Saudi Arabia and France also welcomed the success of the third Esports World Cup, held in Paris during the summer of 2026, and committed to expanding cooperation in culture, youth and sports.The Crown Prince and Macron welcomed France’s participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh, agreeing that the event should serve as a major milestone in Saudi-French relations. 21 agreements and MoUs announced A number of agreements and MoUs covering defense, health, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and entertainment were signed during the state visit.The two sides also welcomed the outcome of the Saudi-French Investment Roundtable, attended by the Crown Prince and Macron alongside senior executives and private-sector representatives.Discussions covered opportunities and joint projects across energy, industry, financial services, transportation and logistics, healthcare, culture, tourism and artificial intelligence.Saudi Arabia and France welcomed the announcement of 21 agreements and memoranda of understanding across multiple sectors, saying they reflected the growing economic partnership and opened new avenues for bilateral investment and cooperation.PARIS — Saudi Arabia and France called for a negotiated solution on Iran to prevent further escalation and safeguard regional security, while condemning attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and calling for the restoration of normal navigation through the strategic waterway.The two countries agreed to deepen their strategic partnership across defense, investment, energy, artificial intelligence and regional security, while welcoming the announcement of 21 agreements and memoranda of understanding during Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s state visit to France.A joint statement issued at the conclusion of the Crown Prince’s Aug. 23-24 visit said the two countries were marking 100 years of political relations and were seeking to build on their Strategic Partnership established during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Saudi Arabia in December 2024.The Crown Prince and Macron held official talks and chaired the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council, launching new initiatives aimed at expanding cooperation across a broad range of sectors.The two leaders reaffirmed a shared vision for stability in the Middle East based on respect for state sovereignty and international law, prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions to conflicts and addressing security threats. Iran and Strait of Hormuz On Iran, Saudi Arabia and France stressed the importance of reaching a negotiated solution to prevent further escalation and safeguard regional security.They reaffirmed their commitment to a diplomatic solution that guarantees the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program and called on Tehran to resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.The two sides also condemned attacks against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and threats to maritime security.They stressed the importance of restoring navigation through the strait to conditions prevailing before Feb. 28, 2026, including freedom of navigation, regular shipping movements and passage without direct or indirect fees or restrictions, in accordance with international law. Palestine Saudi Arabia and France welcomed the announcement of an agreement providing for the disarmament of Hamas and called for its provisions to be implemented.They stressed the need to establish conditions for a sustainable ceasefire and ensure the urgent, safe and unhindered flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the Gaza Strip.The two countries firmly rejected attempts to undermine the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent state along the 1967 borders and stressed the importance of preserving the territorial unity of Palestinian lands.They called for an end to Israeli settlement policies and settler violence, saying they threaten the two-state solution.Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to fully implementing the New York Declaration, backed the Palestinian Authority’s reform agenda and welcomed the announcement of legislative and presidential elections in Palestine. Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan and Syria On Lebanon, the two countries agreed to intensify efforts toward a final settlement of the conflict, strengthen Lebanese state institutions and preserve the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.They praised steps taken by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to rebuild state institutions and extend state authority.Saudi Arabia and France reiterated support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and security services and called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the complete disarmament of all non-state armed groups and Israel’s withdrawal from all Lebanese territory.On Yemen, they reaffirmed support for the Presidential Leadership Council and UN efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement. They condemned Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure and vital facilities in Saudi Arabia, as well as attacks against commercial shipping.France reiterated its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and rejected any attacks on the Kingdom’s territory.Regarding Sudan, the two countries called for intensified efforts to end the crisis and external interference while preserving Sudan’s security, stability, sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and institutions.On Syria, the two sides reiterated their commitment to the country’s unity, stability and economic recovery. They welcomed the establishment of a joint Saudi-Syrian-French Business Council and highlighted the potential for Syria to regain a role connecting Europe, the Gulf and Asia. Defense and energy cooperation Building on their longstanding defense relationship, Saudi Arabia and France adopted a declaration to strengthen defense cooperation, including in armaments and training, and pledged greater coordination in support of international security and stability.The two countries also highlighted bilateral trade, which reached approximately $11.8 billion in 2025.On energy, they stressed the importance of stable global energy markets, security of supply and protection of maritime routes.The two sides agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in oil and petrochemicals, sustainable power generation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, peaceful nuclear energy, clean hydrogen and technologies for reducing and removing emissions.They also agreed to expand cooperation on climate issues and related technological solutions. €6 billion Qiddiya project in France The two sides welcomed an MoU signed by Qiddiya Investment Company to explore the development of a major mixed-use global destination and theme parks in Cergy-Pontoise in the Île-de-France region.Initial plans envisage an integrated destination combining entertainment, leisure experiences, hospitality, culture and sports, with up to three major entertainment facilities alongside hotels and other attractions.Investment in the project could reach approximately €6 billion over its development period.Saudi Arabia and France also agreed to establish a dedicated financial framework to support projects carried out by French companies in the Kingdom.They further agreed to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, emerging technologies and capacity building. AlUla partnership extended to 2035 The two countries agreed to extend their partnership on AlUla until 2035, building on cooperation in archaeology, heritage and culture under Vision 2030.The joint statement said the evolved framework reflects the strength of bilateral cooperation and seeks to capitalize on AlUla’s potential as a leading cultural and heritage destination in the 21st century.Saudi Arabia and France also welcomed the success of the third Esports World Cup, held in Paris during the summer of 2026, and committed to expanding cooperation in culture, youth and sports.The Crown Prince and Macron welcomed France’s participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh, agreeing that the event should serve as a major milestone in Saudi-French relations. 21 agreements and MoUs announced A number of agreements and MoUs covering defense, health, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and entertainment were signed during the state visit.The two sides also welcomed the outcome of the Saudi-French Investment Roundtable, attended by the Crown Prince and Macron alongside senior executives and private-sector representatives.Discussions covered opportunities and joint projects across energy, industry, financial services, transportation and logistics, healthcare, culture, tourism and artificial intelligence.Saudi Arabia and France welcomed the announcement of 21 agreements and memoranda of understanding across multiple sectors, saying they reflected the growing economic partnership and opened new avenues for bilateral investment and cooperation.
Saudi Arabia, France push diplomacy on Iran and reject threats to Hormuz
