Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is currently visiting France. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed him for a two-day state visit. The visit began on Sunday evening with his participation in the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup in Paris. This marked the first time this international video game and chess-based competition was held outside Saudi Arabia. Al Jazeera Online reported this news.
The main formal bilateral meeting and a business forum between the two leaders are scheduled for Monday. Discussions are planned regarding the establishment of alternative pipelines to bypass the ongoing standoff in the Strait of Hormuz, the creation of new energy routes, and the expansion of port networks. Additionally, the leaders will discuss the ongoing six-month conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran, as well as efforts to resolve conflicts in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and Syria. Several significant bilateral agreements in the health, transport, and energy sectors are expected to be signed during this visit.
Saudi Arabia recently signed a historic trilateral joint defense agreement (the Makkah Agreement) with Turkey and Pakistan. This is Crown Prince Salman’s first foreign visit since that agreement. Riyadh aims to strengthen ties with Paris primarily to reduce its sole security reliance on Washington and to expand economic and defense partnerships with Europe and other global powers. Crown Prince Salman will also hold discussions with the French leadership regarding preparations to host the 2030 World Expo and the 2034 Football World Cup.
