His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, met with Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, and a group of senior executives from leading French companies.
During the meeting, participants reviewed Saudi-French relations and discussed ways to enhance these ties. They also addressed efforts to combat desertification and exchanged innovative expertise and technologies. In addition, the discussions focused on strengthening research and development to tackle water challenges and ensure the sustainability of water resources. The two sides also explored several mutual economic initiatives.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State and Cabinet Member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi, Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan, and the official delegation accompanying the French president.
Stronger cultural ties
During Macron’s official visit to Saudi Arabia, Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud met with Minister of Culture of the French Republic Rachida Dati. The meeting culminated in the signing of executive programs with leading French cultural institutions to strengthen cultural collaboration between the two nations. The executive programs focus on fostering partnerships in heritage, museums, libraries, film, and other cultural sectors.
The initiatives promote cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and France, mutual understanding, and innovation through shared expertise and resources. Key areas of collaboration between the two nations will include heritage preservation, archaeological research, creative industries, manuscripts, and cinema.
The agreement also includes several activities like training artisans, conducting archaeological surveys, organizing educational workshops, facilitating exhibitions, showcasing manuscripts, and nurturing talent in film and related fields. The efforts emphasize knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the preservation and advancement of cultural heritage.
Strategic Partnership Council
Saudi Arabia and France also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form the Strategic Partnership Council between the governments of both countries which aims to bolster cooperation in key sectors including the energy transition, culture, defense, and mobility. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot signed the agreement.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed relations between Saudi Arabia and France and joint efforts to enhance cooperation across various sectors. The two leaders also discussed investment opportunities in both countries’ available resources in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030. At the meeting, the two sides also discussed regional and international developments in addition to issues of common concern.
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Saudi-French Investment Forum
Macron’s visit to Saudi Arabia coincided with the Saudi-French Investment Forum held in Riyadh on December 3. The forum, under the slogan “Saudi Vision 2030 – France’s Plan 2030: Mutual Investment across Visions”, included panel sessions that convened Saudi and French ministers, senior executives, and prominent business leaders from both countries.
Leaders from both Saudi Arabia and France discussed partnership opportunities, long-term cooperation, innovation, and mutual growth in vital sectors. The speakers also addressed topics of critical importance including leveraging digital transformation, advancing green energy initiatives, and enhancing cultural exchange.
