Macron hosts Saudi crown prince for visit ranging from esports to Middle East

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a two-day visit in Paris on Sunday, with discussions ranging from esports to the Middle East conflict. The visit aimed to strengthen France-Saudi relations and explore agreements on health, transport, and energy sectors. The trip kicked off with a closing ceremony for the Esports World Cup, an event MBS had shown support for, hosted for the first time outside of Saudi Arabia.

While specific agreements were not detailed, the French presidential office confirmed they would focus on fostering stability and peace in the region. The visit also includes a meeting of the Saudi-French strategic partnership council on Monday, where key regional issues will be discussed. The relationship between France and Saudi Arabia, a key US ally, has been marked by tensions, particularly in light of the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Despite this, Macron became the first Western leader to meet MBS since the incident, signaling a desire to move past past conflicts. Saudi Arabia is also planning major global events, including Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup, which could further bolster international relations.