Saudi Arabia deepens France ties with €6bn park deal

Saudi Arabia and France announced 21 agreements and memorandums of understanding during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Paris, including a six-billion-euro investment to create three theme parks in the Paris suburbs.

The agreements covered defence, health, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and entertainment. They were presented as part of a broader expansion of ties between Paris and Riyadh as Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its international partnerships while maintaining its alliance with the United States.

Yasmine Farouk, Gulf and Arabian Peninsula project director at the International Crisis Group, said the recent conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran had accelerated Saudi Arabia's search for additional partners because Gulf states felt US protection would not return to previous levels.

Camille Lons, deputy head of the Paris office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, said Saudi investment in France fits with Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's programme to diversify the kingdom's oil-dependent economy.

The visit also drew protests in France and questions over allowing Saudi-backed megaprojects despite criticism of the kingdom's human rights record. French President Emmanuel Macron's office said: "At no point, when we attract a project, do we seek to lecture others."

Paris and Riyadh also stressed closer coordination on Lebanon, Syria and Middle East security, and reaffirmed support for the Lebanese armed forces.