PARIS: Saudi Arabia and France signed a series of agreements on Monday covering investment, defense, artificial intelligence, tourism, infrastructure and cultural cooperation, during the first meeting of the Franco-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council. The agreements were signed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Paris and followed talks at the Elysee Palace between Saudi and French officials. Under an agreement extending and amending the existing accord on the development of AlUla, the two countries agreed to extend their cooperation until 2035.

Prince Mohammed will meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday

During his visit to Riyadh in December 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron, while describing the nature of relations with Saudi Arabia, said: “We have always been reliable…