RIYADH: Energy ministers of Saudi Arabia and France discussed strengthening bilateral relations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman and Agnès Pannier-Runacher, French minister of energy transition, stressed the need to increase oil market stability. 

They also agreed to continue close communication, and to strengthen co-operation to address emerging risks and challenges.

Both sides have confirmed that they would strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries and highlighted the need to ensure secure and reliable supplies of energy into global markets, noting that the Kingdom continues to be a reliable partner and supplier of crude oil to France.

Discussions between the two sides included the cooperation between the two countries in the field of clean hydrogen and renewable energy, where French companies are actively participating in this promising sector.

In addition to cooperating within the framework of the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy between the Saudi and French government, dated 22 February 2011, both ministers stressed the importance to encourage both teams to work on opportunities in the petrochemicals, electricity, energy efficiency, innovation, decarbonization technologies and other areas of mutual interest.