Macron hosts Saudi crown prince for two‑day visit covering energy deals and Middle East talks

Emmanuel Macron welcomed Mohammed bin Salman to Paris on Sunday for a two‑day itinerary that blended a high‑profile esports ceremony with a series of bilateral talks on health, transport, energy and the situation in the Middle East.

Esports ceremony sets a lighter tone

The opening event took place at the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup, where the French president joined FIFA president Gianni Infantino and leading gamers on the stage. Macron handed out trophies and spoke about the growing importance of digital sport, marking the first time the tournament has been staged outside Saudi Arabia.

"The fact that he chose France for this visit is an important signal and testifies to the depth and dynamism of the Franco‑Saudi relationship," said a French presidential official.

Diplomacy and deal‑making

On Monday the two leaders are set to sign several agreements covering health, transport and energy, and to chair the inaugural meeting of the Saudi‑French strategic partnership council. The energy pact is especially noteworthy as Europe seeks to diversify supplies amid ongoing tensions with Iran. Energy cooperation could influence broader EU policy on energy security.

Protests and political sensitivities

Three journalists’ unions, SNJ‑CGT, CFDT‑Journalistes and SGJ‑FO, staged a protest, reminding the public of the ongoing French investigation into the 2021 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The unions described the trip as a provocation for media‑freedom advocates, citing a UN report that labelled Khashoggi’s murder an extrajudicial killing for which Saudi Arabia bears responsibility.

Beyond the immediate deals, the visit may pave the way for a Saudi‑backed theme park project, “Dragons Ball”, in the Val‑d’Oise region, and underscores Riyadh’s ambition to host major global events such as Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup.

Both leaders have signalled that the partnership will extend beyond commerce, with Macron emphasizing the need for close coordination with Gulf partners to foster stability and peace in the Middle East.