Overview
- President Emmanuel Macron hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Paris for a two‑day visit that began Sunday with the Esports World Cup closing and will convene the inaugural Franco‑Saudi Strategic Partnership Council.
- French officials said multiple agreements on health, transport and energy are expected to be signed on the visit’s second day, with French and Saudi ministers present to formalize deals.
- Leaders are discussing ways to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz by exploring alternative maritime routes, new pipelines, expanded port capacity and regional rail links to protect energy and trade flows.
- The talks include coordination on the Iran‑related war and broader regional security as Saudi Arabia broadens its partners after the August Mecca defence pact with Türkiye and Pakistan.
- The visit prompted protests and rights group criticism over the unresolved Jamal Khashoggi investigation and jailed journalists, a contrast to the pragmatic focus on arms, aerospace and investment ties that have grown since 2024.