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The Royal Court announced that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman left the kingdom on Friday for the state visit to France. A statement from the Élysée Palace confirmed that President Emmanuel Macron will receive the Saudi leader on Sunday and Monday for the official program. The French presidency statement described the trip as reflecting the vitality of bilateral dialogue and an opportunity to reinforce ties that have developed over several years of coordination.
Discussions will center on key regional issues at a time when close coordination between France and its Gulf partners remains essential for stability across the Near and Middle East. The two sides plan to exchange views on developments involving Iran, Yemen and Lebanon, the Élysée Palace statement indicated. Saudi and French officials have maintained regular contact on these files since Macron traveled to the kingdom in December 2024.
The leaders will convene the first meeting of the Franco-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council during the visit, according to the French presidency. This mechanism is designed to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors and provide a structured framework for ongoing collaboration. The Royal Court earlier confirmed that the Crown Prince will lead the Saudi delegation in all scheduled engagements.
Economic and strategic matters shaping the bilateral relationship will receive particular attention in the talks. Areas expected to feature include defense, the broader economy, energy and aviation, a joint review of previous partnership statements shows. Both governments have previously identified these fields as priorities for joint investment and policy alignment.
The visit also includes the Crown Prince’s attendance at the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup on Sunday, official schedules released by both sides noted. This element of the program underscores growing cultural and entertainment exchanges between the two countries. French authorities have coordinated logistics to accommodate the full range of official and ceremonial activities.
The current trip follows a pattern of high-level reciprocal visits that have expanded the scope of Saudi-French relations in recent years. A 2023 meeting between the Crown Prince and Macron similarly focused on regional stability and economic initiatives, French records indicate. The latest engagements come as both nations seek to align positions on international challenges while advancing shared commercial objectives.
