French President Emmanuel Macron recently visited Saudi Arabia where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. During his visit, several key agreements on defense, energy and trade were signed. Macron also toured AlUla, Diriyah and attended the One Water Summit that was held alongside the COP16 conference in Riyadh. The visit occurred at an important time amid unprecedented regional security challenges as well as against the backdrop of the domestic political crisis faced by Macron. Recent developments highlight strengthened strategic cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia and the political will of both countries to expand the remit of engagement.
During the visit, the regional security situation and ways to enhance regional stability were discussed, prioritizing ceasefires and humanitarian aid to Gaza and Lebanon. Macron announced that he and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will co-chair a conference in June 2025 focused on establishing a Palestinian state which is critical for the overall stability of the region considering the current security situation. The initiative will be coupled with diplomatic efforts to involve European and non-European allies.
In a joint statement issued after Macron’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the two countries stressed the need to enhance cooperation across sectors like energy, industry, mining, agriculture, healthcare, science and technology. Both countries also announced a strategic partnership roadmap and signed an MoU to establish a Strategic Partnership Council for advancing bilateral relations. The council will focus on mutual development, security, and addressing global challenges like climate change, biodiversity preservation, and access to clean water.
France’s deepening ties with Saudi Arabia reflect Paris’ broader agenda to strengthen its partnerships and global influence beyond the EU. Bilateral trade has grown steadily in recent years. In 2023, Saudi Arabia exported commodities worth $6.35 billion to France, while French exports to Saudi Arabia touched $4.23 billion. As per reports, the number of French companies operating in Saudi Arabia has grown by over 43% in the last four years. France and Saudi Arabia also signed investment deals worth $2.9 billion last year and have deepened their economic partnership via the Saudi-French Business Council.
Macron’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia underscores several important factors.
Firstly, the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East is undergoing rapid changes, with the long-term consequences yet to be fully understood. The weakening of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” has rapidly changed regional security dynamics and the balance of power. Hezbollah and Hamas have suffered significant setbacks due to losses in leadership, military capacity and economic pressure, while Iran’s key ally, the Assad regime in Syria, has fallen. As the effects of these changes remain uncertain, Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional leader becomes increasingly important. For France, fostering close engagement with Saudi Arabia is essential to safeguarding its regional interests. Moreover, both Saudi Arabia and France have been discussing measures to improve security and stability in Lebanon. France has urged the Gulf states to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and has called to halt weapons sales to Israel. President Macron has criticized Benjamin Netanyahu over attacks in Lebanon and Gaza. Both Riyadh and Paris share mutual concerns regarding Israeli violations of international law, viewing such actions as destabilizing for the region and contrary to efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable peace. Moreover, both countries have converging interests in enhancing regional security and ensuring the stability of critical supply chains, particularly in energy.
Secondly, Donald Trump’s return to power signals a potential decrease in US involvement in Middle East conflicts. This paves the way for emerging defense deals as regional countries adapt to the changing landscape and diversify their partnerships. Amid these developments, France intends to deepen its security and military partnership with Saudi Arabia as both countries have shared interests in the region. As per reports, the Saudi government has been negotiating with France on acquiring Rafale jets. While no formal deal was announced, there was a noted willingness to advance toward a decision. This potential acquisition reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued push to diversify its defense partnerships amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and regional security developments and increase cooperation with European powers in addressing regional challenges.
Thirdly, Saudi Arabia is one of the largest oil exporters to France. Paris also imports substantial amounts of refined petroleum and petrochemical products from Saudi Arabia. Macron’s visit emphasized growing collaboration between France and Saudi Arabia in the energy sector, focusing on renewable energy, refining, and petrochemicals. For example, a new collaboration between Saudi Aramco, TotalEnergies and Saudi Investment Recycling Company aims to explore the development of a sustainable aviation fuel plant. Such initiatives align with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 sustainability goals and address the growing demand for decarbonized air transport. The strengthening of energy ties between France and Saudi Arabia comes at a time when global energy transitions are accelerating, and both countries are positioning themselves as leaders in sustainable energy solutions. Amid growing concerns over energy security and the need for cleaner alternatives, this partnership is significant, especially as Europe faces energy challenges and seeks greater energy diversification.
Fourthly, Saudi Arabia has been enhancing its tourism potential by investing heavily in developing infrastructure, cultural initiatives, and heritage sites to attract global tourists. This is primarily done to position the kingdom as a global cultural and tourism hub. As part of the recently signed agreements, both countries have deepened cultural cooperation further strengthening Saudi-French collaboration in creative industries. The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the French Agency for AlUla Development also recently launched the Villa Hegra project which is primarily intended to promote cultural diplomacy on a global scale. France has maintained a strong presence in the global creative sphere and has constructively utilized soft power to expand its influence. Moreover, France’s expertise in preserving heritage and developing world-class cultural infrastructure aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. This cultural partnership features prominently in bilateral relations and is expected to grow in the coming years, especially as Saudi Arabia has laid out various plans to increase its tourism potential.
Looking ahead, the growing Saudi-French partnership is poised to influence regional dynamics. While this partnership strengthens their geopolitical influence, it also aligns their interests to address pressing challenges, including regional security threats and energy transition. France’s involvement in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives will further enhance bilateral ties and their growing engagement will solidify their roles as drivers of transformation in the Middle East amid rapid geopolitical shifts.
