Mohammed bin Salman’s Paris Visit

In a two‑day official visit starting Sunday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will attend the closing ceremony of the e‑sports World Cup in Paris, and hold the first meeting of the French‑Saudi Strategic Partnership Council with President Emmanuel Macron. The meetings will take place at the Élysée Palace, where the two sides will discuss economic, strategic and regional issues amid regional tensions.

History of Bilateral Relations

Mohammed bin Salman’s first official visit to France was in June 2015, when he was Crown Prince and Defence Minister, at the invitation of the French government. His first visit after becoming Crown Prince was in April 2018, when he held the first meeting of the French‑Saudi Strategic Partnership Council. In June 2023 he returned to Paris to participate in the conference “Towards a New Global Financial Charter.” In December 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Saudi Arabia to tour Al‑Ula and announced a joint cultural project.

E‑sports as a Global Platform

The tournament was launched by the Crown Prince in October 2023, with the first edition held in Riyadh in 2024. Paris will host the 2026 edition from 6 July to 23 August at the Paris Port‑de‑Versailles exhibition centre, with more than 2,000 players representing over 200 clubs from more than 100 countries, demonstrating the tournament’s evolution from a national project to a global platform.

Defence and Political Dimensions

The bilateral relationship includes cooperation in defence and energy, with expansion into cyber‑security and artificial intelligence. France and Saudi Arabia also cooperate in supporting Lebanon, organising an international conference in Paris to enhance the Lebanese army’s capabilities. In July 2025, the UN headquarters in New York hosted a high‑level conference on the Palestinian issue, co‑presided by Saudi Arabia and France, adopting the “New York Declaration” with a 142‑vote majority.

Timing of the Visit

The visit comes at a critical time amid the U.S.–Iran war, heightening the need for coordination between Paris and Riyadh to maintain Gulf stability and energy markets. It is an opportunity to strengthen economic, cultural and defence ties, with a focus on renewable energy and technology cooperation.

End of the Visit

The visit will conclude on 23 August 2026, with the final e‑sports World Cup closing ceremony in Paris.