Saudi Crown Prince's Visit to France
On the second day of his two-day state visit, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, signing agreements in health, transport, and energy.
Opening at the Esports World Cup Closing Ceremony
The visit began Sunday evening with President Macron at the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup. It was the first time the tournament, featuring competitions ranging from video games to chess, was held outside Saudi Arabia.
New Agreements
It is expected that MBS and Macron will sign several agreements on health, transport, and energy. French media reported that a deal to build a Dragon Ball-themed amusement park, backed by a Saudi investment fund, could be signed. Valerie Pecresse, President of the Île-de-France Regional Council, said the regional government has been working on the project for 18 months.
Security and Economic Discussions
Bilateral talks also cover regional security and economic ties, focusing on energy routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz-such as new pipelines, capacity upgrades, and alternative port networks. France is a major buyer of Saudi oil and mineral products.
Impact of the War on Oil
Since February 28, when the US-Israeli war on Iran began, shipping has been disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz, driving up oil prices. Before the war, Brent crude was about $66 per barrel; during the conflict it rose above $100, peaking at $119. On Monday, Brent traded around $93 per barrel.
Other Topics
Other agenda items include the war in Iran, the bloodshed in Palestine, developments in Syria and Lebanon-where Israel occupies about one-fifth of Lebanese territory-and global events Saudi Arabia will host, such as Expo 2030 on sustainability and urban innovation, and the 2034 football World Cup.
Trade Volume Between Saudi Arabia and France
In 2024, France exported $4.5 bn of goods to Saudi Arabia and imported $4.6 bn. Refined petroleum accounted for 72 % of Saudi exports to France in 2024, along with crude petroleum and other mineral products. France’s exports to Saudi Arabia were more diverse, including airliners, helicopters, gas turbines, pharmaceuticals, and perfume.
Relationship History
This was MBS’s third visit to France after trips in 2022 and 2023. In December 2024, Macron visited Riyadh, where the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council was founded, formalising and upgrading political and economic ties. The current visit is MBS’s first international trip since signing the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, with Turkey and Pakistan, which commits all three states to treat an armed attack on any as an attack on all.
Analysis
The Mecca pact shows Saudi Arabia is taking steps to diversify its security partnerships beyond Washington, reflecting a broader shift in its foreign policy.
