The bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic are characterized by continuous development and a high level of effective cooperation in various vital fields, with the two friendly countries sharing similar views and perspectives on many common issues.
The relationship between the Kingdom and France has a historical extension that embodies a model of strategic cooperation and its importance, especially in light of the accelerating regional and international changes that require the exchange of opinions and the coordination of positions between the Kingdom and friendly countries, with France holding a distinguished position among them.
A Developmental Partnership Beyond Decades
The ambitious partnership between the two friendly countries is strengthened through prospects for commercial and investment cooperation in areas such as energy, industry and mining, agriculture, health, healthcare, biotechnology, information and communication technology, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, space, smart and sustainable cities, tourism, and culture.
The archive of Saudi-French relations is rich with images that embody a developmental partnership and a strong friendship between the two countries, dating back to when the first signs of relations began to form between the Kingdom and France 100 years ago; when France sent a consul in 1926 to oversee French affairs in the Kingdom, followed by the establishment of a diplomatic mission in Jeddah in 1932, which has continued to grow steadily and robustly over the past decades, recording pioneering and stable milestones in various fields.
The steps to establish relations continued and entered a new phase following the visit of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God have mercy on him - to France in 1967 and his meeting with French President Charles de Gaulle, which represented a support and development to encompass broader fields that achieve the common interests of both countries and their friendly peoples.
The history of relations between the two countries has witnessed exchanges of visits between their leaders and senior officials, forming links in a series of documenting and developing relations and coordinating efforts, benefiting the common interests of the region and the two friendly peoples.
In 1986, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (may God protect him) - when he was the Prince of the Riyadh Region - and then-French President Jacques Chirac inaugurated the "Saudi Arabia: Yesterday and Today" exhibition in Paris, where visitors learned about the Kingdom's past, traditions, religious and cultural values, modern growth, and monumental achievements.
In 1997, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud visited the French Republic and signed a Charter of Cooperation and Friendship between the cities of Riyadh and Paris.
Developing Saudi-French Cooperation
Continuing this distinguished relationship witnessed by the two friendly countries and enhancing it, was the visit of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz - may God protect him - to France in 2018; to solidify these relations and push them forward in line with joint programs and developmental projects, during which 19 protocols of agreement were signed between French and Saudi companies, with a total value exceeding 18 billion dollars, covering industrial sectors such as petrochemicals, water treatment, in addition to tourism, culture, health, and agriculture.
In December 2021, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister received French President Emmanuel Macron, where they held an official discussion session reviewing the historical and strategic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic in all fields, emphasizing the importance of enhancing joint work and advancing bilateral relations towards more close and constructive cooperation based on trust and common interests, aiming to elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries to promising new horizons. During the visit, the two countries signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding in the fields of (cultural, tourism, digital technology, and space), in addition to an agreement to establish the French cultural center (Villa Al-Hajar) in Al-Ula Governorate, and to establish a facility for the production of aircraft structures (military industries) and the maintenance of aircraft engines.
The visits of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to the French Republic in July 2022 and June 2023 yielded positive and fruitful results that significantly contributed to expanding the scope of cooperation and developing relations between the two countries.
Based on the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and out of his keen interest in communication and enhancing relations between the Kingdom and brotherly and friendly countries in all fields, and upon the kind invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister met with President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to the French Republic in July 2022.
During the meeting, an official discussion session was held, reviewing the historical and strategic relations between the two countries and ways to develop them in all fields, exchanging views on the overall current regional and international situations. The discussions included ways to deepen the investment partnership between the two countries by increasing the pace of investment and economic cooperation, enhancing collaboration in renewable energy fields such as solar energy, wind energy, cooperation in clean hydrogen, and commitment to the principles of the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, as well as the necessity of developing and implementing climate agreements focusing on emissions rather than sources.
The discussions addressed aspects of the strategic partnership and ways to develop it, the importance of stability in global energy markets, the stability of food supplies of wheat and grains for all countries of the world, ensuring their continuity, and maintaining supply abundance and price stability.
During the discussions, the necessity of continuous assessment of the common threats to the interests of both countries and the security and stability of the Middle East region was emphasized, along with the importance of enhancing cooperation and partnership in defense fields.
The discussions also covered ways to develop and enhance cooperation and coordination on issues of mutual interest, including combating terrorism and its financing, combating crimes in all their forms, exchanging experiences and training, and emphasized the importance of resolving international disputes through diplomatic and peaceful means, adhering to the United Nations Charter and principles of good neighborliness, respecting the unity and sovereignty of states, and refraining from interfering in their internal affairs.
Based on the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God protect him - Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with French President Emmanuel Macron in June 2023, and he chaired the Kingdom's delegation participating in the "Towards a New Global Financial Pact" summit held in Paris, and he also participated in the official reception of the Kingdom's candidacy to host Expo 2030.
A Qualitative Leap Towards a Sustainable Strategic Partnership
The journey of Saudi-French relations culminated in reaching a new and distinguished level and a qualitative leap with the announcement of the roadmap for the strategic partnership during President Macron's visit to the Kingdom in December 2024. The Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received French President Emmanuel Macron at the Royal Court in Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, where they held an extensive and bilateral meeting, witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding to form the Strategic Partnership Council, co-chaired by the Crown Prince and the French President. The Strategic Partnership Council represents a comprehensive institutional framework for developing bilateral relations and cooperation in strategic sectors for further development and deepening Saudi-French relations in many promising strategic sectors, transforming them into an organized and sustainable partnership between the two countries.
In the political arena, the Kingdom and France have led international efforts to support the Palestinian cause for the implementation of the two-state solution, as evidenced by their joint presidency of the international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution held in New York City in September 2025; aiming to set a clear path leading to the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The conference resulted in the "New York Declaration," which has been the main diplomatic driver for the number of countries recognizing Palestine to reach 159 countries to date.
The two countries seek to contribute to achieving security, stability, and peace regionally and internationally, making diplomatic efforts to ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation. The French Republic values its partnership with the Kingdom, considering it a close ally playing a key role in maintaining regional security and stability.
The two countries are keen to enhance cooperation and coordination in defense fields to serve and achieve common interests, contributing to achieving security and stability regionally and internationally. They work to elevate the level of existing security cooperation between them, especially in combating crimes in all their forms, combating terrorism and extremism and their financing, and cybersecurity.
The French side appreciates the Kingdom's role in supporting the balance and stability of global oil markets and enhancing the reliability of supplies as a major exporter of crude oil. It also values the efforts and initiatives undertaken by the Kingdom to ensure the continuity and flexibility of supply chains, which have contributed to reducing market fluctuations and enhancing global energy security.
In the environmental domain, the Kingdom's leading role in climate action has been praised by the French side, including the launch of the (Saudi Green Initiative) at the national level and the (Middle East Green Initiative) at the regional and global levels.
Both the Kingdom and France reaffirm their commitment to supporting solutions to challenges related to access to clean water and sustainable water management. The leadership role of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, and French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside the participation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the President of the World Bank, in the (One Water) summit held in Riyadh on 2 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446 AH corresponding to December 3, 2024, represents a leading and effective role for the Saudi-French partnership in the agenda of international cooperation for water management, finding solutions to achieve sustainable development goals related to water, food security, energy, and mobilizing global efforts on water issues, contributing to more efficient governance, which was embodied in the Kingdom's launch of a global water organization.
Both sides expressed their support for the Sovereign Wealth Funds Alliance (One Planet), in line with their commitment to supporting global emission reductions and integrating climate considerations into investments, as the seventh annual summit of sovereign wealth fund managers (One Planet) was held on 2 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446 AH corresponding to December 3, 2024, in Riyadh, hosted by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, where the One Planet Sovereign Wealth Fund Network has contributed since 2017 to accelerating efforts to integrate climate change issues into asset management globally.
The parliamentary side of both countries has witnessed cooperation that has led to enhancing judicial cooperation and developing coordination mechanisms between the two sides; contributing to addressing crimes with an international dimension and transnational crimes, including the exchange of information and evidence, activating mutual legal assistance, coordinating in judicial investigation procedures and related cases, pursuing internationally wanted persons, and recovering funds and assets obtained from crimes, according to national regulations and applicable international agreements and the principle of reciprocity, as appropriate.
This cooperation comes within the framework of the responsibilities undertaken by the International Cooperation Prosecution in the Public Prosecution in the field of international judicial cooperation, through communication and coordination with counterpart judicial authorities, handling requests for mutual legal assistance and judicial commissions, and following up on issues related to transnational crimes; enhancing the speed and effectiveness of procedures, supporting the exchange of relevant experiences and practices, and contributing to strengthening joint efforts to combat crime.
In the commercial and economic domain, the two countries seek to cooperate and invest in renewable energy, electricity, energy efficiency, innovation, and carbon removal technologies, generating electricity from renewable sources including solar and wind energy, and developing their projects, as well as transportation, distribution, storage, and network automation, carbon capture, utilization, and storage, hydrogen, and low-emission electricity, in addition to oil and its supplies and petrochemicals, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The cooperation efforts between the Kingdom and France have resulted in the volume of trade exchange between the two countries reaching 11.5 billion dollars in 2025, and both sides aim to enhance economic and investment relations and develop trade exchange between them, through regular meetings of the Saudi-French Business Council, intensifying exchanges of visits between commercial and investment delegations, encouraging the establishment of joint projects, and holding commercial and investment events to explore promising opportunities in several strategic sectors.
The two countries have commercial relations and joint projects in the field of crude oil and gas and their derivatives and petrochemical industries. In 2019, Saudi Aramco and Total launched a joint project equally between them to sell fuel at retail within the Kingdom by acquiring the Marketing Facilities Company, which currently operates 170 fuel stations. To date, more than 55 fuel stations have been developed and qualified under the brand of Saudi Aramco and Total, aiming to enhance their presence in the retail sector in the Kingdom, in addition to nearly 25 fuel stations currently under development (construction).
There is an existing partnership between Saudi Aramco and Total in the (SATORP) refinery project in Jubail Industrial City, which has a refining capacity of 460,000 barrels per day, with Saudi Aramco owning 62.5% of the company's shares, while Total owns 37.5%.
Saudi Aramco and Total are working on developing the (AMIRAL) project, which aims to add an integrated petrochemical complex at the SATORP refinery in Jubail at a cost of 11 billion dollars. Engineering, procurement, and construction contracts were signed in June 2023, and in April 2026, an investment agreement was signed between the Ministry of Investment and SATORP to provide the necessary incentives for the (AMIRAL) project under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy.
Future cooperation opportunities between the Kingdom and France include exchanging experiences and expertise regarding carbon circular economy applications, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies in sectors with hard-to-reduce emissions, such as air and maritime transport, cement, and petrochemicals, in addition to enhancing the participation of companies from both sides in implementing various electricity and renewable energy sector projects in both countries, including generation, transmission, distribution of electricity, network automation, electrical network security and resilience, renewable energy projects and their integration into the grid, and energy storage technologies. Cooperation and exchange of experiences in research and development, electrical system studies, and energy storage, including the impact of renewable energy entry and interconnection with countries and electricity trade, training, and capacity building, in addition to increasing and continuing the participation of French companies in future renewable energy projects.
Two French companies (Total Energies and EDF) are participating in developing renewable energy projects under the National Renewable Energy Program, including EDF's projects represented in: the Dumat Al-Jandal wind power plant with a capacity of 400 MW, the solar energy project in Jeddah with a capacity of 300 MW, the Al-Hanakia solar project with a total capacity of 1,100 MW, the Al-Hanakia 2 solar project with a capacity of 400 MW, and the Al-Mas' solar project with a capacity of 1,000 MW, and the solar project in Samta with a capacity of 600 MW has been awarded to a consortium that includes the company.
Total Energies' projects include: the Wadi Al-Dawasir project to produce 112 MW of solar energy, the Rabigh 2 solar project with a capacity of 300 MW, and the solar project in Al-Sufun with a capacity of 400 MW awarded to a consortium that includes Total Energies.
The two countries continue to develop cooperation opportunities in the energy sector system to achieve mutual benefits for the future directions and plans of both countries by discussing possible future opportunities in utilizing local resources, exchanging experiences, developing joint projects, and securing, enhancing, and sustaining supply chains in the energy sector to meet local demand and export to global markets.
France is one of the largest investors in the Kingdom, with 650 French companies operating in the Kingdom; 39 of which have established regional headquarters there. The Saudi-French Investment Forum held in December 2024, under the slogan (Saudi Vision 2030 and France's Plan 2030), included roundtable meetings addressing topics such as quality of life, infrastructure, entertainment, economic transformation, and technology, during which several agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed between institutions from the public and private sectors in both countries.
The two countries cooperate in supporting projects and companies related to achieving Saudi Vision 2030, enhancing financing for French exports and joint projects. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Public Investment Fund and the French National Investment Bank in December 2024; aimed at enhancing cooperation and providing financing support services worth up to 10 billion dollars over five years. The Saudi Air Connectivity Program signed a cooperation agreement with the Air France-KLM Group to launch direct flights between Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and Riyadh starting in the summer of 2025.
In the developmental domain, the Saudi Fund for Development and the French Development Agency signed a memorandum of understanding in April 2018, allocating 460 million Saudi Riyals (approximately 100 million euros) to finance developmental projects in Africa and the Sahel region, following up on the partnership between the two parties through project evaluation, research, and studying vital opportunities and their suitability for joint financing, in addition to exchanging technical expertise through sharing reports and research that benefit both parties, and exchanging knowledge on topics of mutual interest that contribute to achieving the developmental goals of both sides.
Recently, cooperation has contributed to financing the electricity line project between Nouakchott and Nema, and the project for establishing and equipping specialized institutes in vital fields in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
As part of the Saudi-French partnership in supporting humanitarian work in Lebanon, the total humanitarian and developmental aid reached 32,253,827 million US dollars, covering seven projects in health, food security, agricultural and nutritional fields, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in cooperation with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Development Agency (AFD). The total Saudi scholarships provided to French students amounted to 12,906,667 million US dollars, within 17 projects enabling them to study in higher education institutions within the Kingdom and supporting them in preparing effective specialists in their communities across all disciplines.
In the cultural and tourism domain, the Kingdom has strengthened its cultural relations with the French Republic by establishing the Saudi-French Ministerial Committee in 2018; aimed at overseeing the comprehensive development and transformation of Al-Ula Governorate into a global tourism and cultural destination. The committee has worked on protecting and developing heritage and preserving archaeological and historical sites in Al-Ula, enabling artistic exchange between the two countries, and attracting French and global investments to the governorate, in addition to human development and capacity building.
Cultural cooperation between the Kingdom and France includes the development of the innovative Sharaan Resort sculpted within the rocks designed by the famous French architect Jean Nouvel, the implementation of the environmentally friendly Al-Ula Tram project in cooperation with the French company Alstom, in addition to the opening of the Villa Al-Hajar Foundation as the first joint Saudi-French cultural center in Al-Ula; to serve as a platform for creativity, visual arts, and artistic exchange, as well as teaching the French language to the sons and daughters of the governorate to prepare them for the hospitality and tourism sector and build national capacities in archaeology.
Tourism cooperation represents one of the priorities of the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and France and has transitioned to an executive level in June 2026 through the signing of a joint action program aimed at developing human resources and tourism training, attracting investment, sustainable tourism, destination competitiveness, exchanging experiences, and digital technologies and data and artificial intelligence related to tourism.
In the sports domain, bilateral cooperation between the governments of the two countries in the field of sports and youth sponsorship began with the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Paris in 1987 and a declaration of intent in 2018 between the Ministry of Sports and the French Ministry of Sports. In 2020, cooperation extended between the Leadership Preparation Institute and the French National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance; aimed at enhancing cooperation in the field of sports, while the updated draft of the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and France (the roadmap for the next decade) included provisions for (exchanging investments in the field of sports, organizing sporting events, and exchanging expertise in sports medicine and training, and promoting recreational sports). The Saudi sports presence, with the participation of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee in the 33rd Summer Olympic Games hosted by the French capital Paris in August 2024, included 10 male and female athletes in show jumping, taekwondo, athletics, and swimming.
A Leadership Position and Promising Strategic Horizons
The (state visit) being made by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to the French Republic comes in response to an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron, reflecting his appreciation for the Kingdom's leadership and its political and economic stature, as well as its influence at both the regional and international levels, and its pivotal and impactful role in enhancing the security and stability of the region and the world.
The visit of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to the French Republic embodies the commitment of the leadership of both countries to develop bilateral relations between the Kingdom and France, enhance their comprehensive strategic partnership, and invest their political and economic potentials in serving common interests, amid the rapid development of relations between the two countries.
The visit of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to the French Republic also reflects the Kingdom's keenness to strengthen its strategic partnerships with all major international powers and influential parties, maintaining balanced relations with them, in a way that serves the Kingdom's national interests and enhances its leadership and pivotal role in the Middle East and the world.
Both countries look forward to the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the French Republic to enhance the utilization of the opportunities provided by Saudi Vision 2030 and France's Plan 2030, to develop and enhance the economic partnership between the two countries in areas of joint investment, industry, energy, culture and heritage, tourism, education, technology, space, defense and security, and other fields.
The relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic is distinguished as one of the most important relationships in the world; as it is based on a long history of trust and joint work. With the continued political rapprochement, expansion of economic partnerships, and increasing cooperation in vital sectors, this relationship will remain a fundamental pillar in supporting regional stability and global prosperity.
إخلاء مسؤولية إن موقع بالبلدي يعمل بطريقة آلية دون تدخل بشري،ولذلك فإن جميع المقالات والاخبار والتعليقات المنشوره في الموقع مسؤولية أصحابها وإداره الموقع لا تتحمل أي مسؤولية أدبية او قانونية عن محتوى الموقع.
"جميع الحقوق محفوظة لأصحابها"
المصدر :" جريدة عكاظ "
