French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) for a two-day visit aimed at fostering cooperation on issues ranging from regional stability to economic partnerships. The visit, commencing with a unique engagement at the Esports World Cup, underscores the evolving dynamics of the Franco-Saudi relationship.
The visit, set to include the signing of several agreements in health, transport, and energy on Monday, highlights the enduring strength of ties between Paris and Riyadh. The first day's proceedings on Sunday evening will feature a distinctive approach, with President Macron attending the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup, an event hosted by Paris and strongly supported by Crown Prince MBS. This marks the first time the competition, which showcases elite talent in various gaming and strategy disciplines, is being held outside Saudi Arabia.
Discussions are also expected to encompass significant regional challenges. The Crown Prince and President Macron are scheduled to co-chair the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French strategic partnership council on Monday afternoon. According to the French presidency, their agenda includes "key regional issues, in a context calling for close coordination between France and its Gulf partners to foster stability and peace" in the Middle East.
The visit occurs amidst ongoing geopolitical considerations, including developments in Iran and the broader context of the war in the Middle East. While the official schedule emphasizes strategic cooperation, it remains uncertain how prominently human rights will feature on the agenda. This question arises in the context of the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an event described by a UN investigation as an "extrajudicial killing for which Saudi Arabia is responsible," with US intelligence agencies determining Crown Prince MBS had "approved" the operation leading to his death, a claim Riyadh denies.
Crown Prince MBS's engagement with Western leaders has been notable since 2021, when President Macron became one of the first Western heads of state to meet him in Saudi Arabia following the Khashoggi incident. Since then, the Saudi Crown Prince has undertaken multiple visits to France, signaling a continued trajectory of diplomatic interaction between the two nations.
