French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Paris for a two-day state visit focused on regional security, energy and economic cooperation.
The visit will begin on Sunday evening, with Macron welcoming the crown prince to the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup in Paris. The event, featuring competitions in video games and chess, is being held outside Saudi Arabia for the first time.
Formal bilateral talks and a business forum are scheduled for Monday, with both leaders expected to discuss key regional and economic issues.
According to the French presidency, the talks will focus on major matters affecting the Middle East, as well as strengthening cooperation between France, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf partners.
Energy security is expected to be a major issue, with officials likely to explore alternative routes for transporting energy that could reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. Discussions may include new pipelines, increased infrastructure capacity and alternative port networks.
Macron and Prince Mohammed are also expected to discuss the ongoing Iran conflict, the Israel-Gaza war and the wider Palestinian situation.
The leaders are further expected to address developments in Lebanon and Syria, amid continuing political and security challenges across the region.
The visit comes as France and Saudi Arabia seek to deepen their strategic partnership, with trade, investment, energy security and regional stability expected to dominate the agenda.
