Saudi Arabia and France are expected to sign deals and discuss alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Paris.
The Saudi Crown Prince left the Kingdom on Friday evening for a trip to France to enhance transport, health and security ties.
He was to meet French President Emmanuel Macron. The leaders were expected to discuss ways to diversify transport routes for energy and logistics, including maritime routes, as well as alternative pipeline and regional rail projects, the French leader's office told reporters.
The visit “reflects the vitality of the dialogue between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France and will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the strategic partnership between our two countries,” the Elysee Palace said.
Mr Macron and the Saudi Crown Prince would, for the first time, convene a meeting of the Franco-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, according to the statement.
They were also set to oversee the signing of agreements covering technology, transport, energy and health. The Saudi delegation comprises seven ministers.
The leaders were also expected to discuss conflicts in the Middle East involving Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, where France is working to help develop energy and logistics projects, according to the officials.
Prince Mohammed's visit comes at a time when tension is high in the Middle East as the war between the US and Iran continues.
On Monday, Prince Mohammed is expected to meet French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
“The high-level meeting provides an opportunity to address key bilateral and international issues, whether economic, security-related or diplomatic,” the Prime Minister's office said.
The leaders will also attend the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup on Sunday, the first time the event is being held in Paris.
The event was created and hosted in Riyadh in 2023 as part of the country's Vision 2030 project.
On his last visit to France in 2023, the Crown Prince met Mr Macron and attended a reception as part of Riyadh’s successful bid to host the 2030 Expo.
Mr Macron's last visit to the Kingdom was in 2024.
Relations between Saudi Arabia and France are strong, with cultural ties deepened by Paris's involvement in the development of the kingdom's historic AlUla region.
