Macron Welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for Two-Day France Visit

French President Emmanuel Macron is welcoming Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to France for a two-day official visit on August 23–24, as Paris and Riyadh seek to deepen their strategic partnership and coordinate on major regional developments.

The visit comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and is expected to combine diplomatic discussions with economic cooperation and engagement around major international events.

Regional Issues High on the Agenda

According to the French presidency, Macron and the Crown Prince are expected to discuss key regional issues and the need for close coordination between France and its Gulf partners to support stability and peace in the Middle East.

The talks come at a sensitive time for the region, placing security, diplomacy and broader Middle East developments at the centre of the leaders’ discussions.

First Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council Meeting

On Monday afternoon, Macron and Mohammed bin Salman are scheduled to chair the first meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council. The mechanism is intended to give greater structure to cooperation between the two countries and help move joint initiatives from dialogue toward implementation.

Health, Transport and Energy Agreements Expected

Several agreements covering health, transport and energy are expected to be signed on the second day of the visit, according to a French presidential official. The planned deals underline the increasingly broad scope of cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia.

Economic and strategic issues are expected to feature prominently, alongside opportunities for further investment and cooperation in sectors important to both countries.

Esports World Cup Closing Ceremony

The two leaders are also expected to attend the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup in Paris on Sunday evening. The event is being staged in Paris as Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in gaming and esports as part of its wider economic diversification strategy.

France has presented the event as another opportunity to strengthen sporting and cultural ties between the two countries.

Saudi-French Ties Continue to Deepen

The latest visit follows Macron’s trip to Saudi Arabia in December 2024 and reflects sustained high-level engagement between Paris and Riyadh. Bilateral cooperation has expanded across investment, energy, technology, culture, sport and other strategic sectors.

Saudi Arabia is also preparing for major international events including Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, creating further opportunities for international partnerships and investment.

Two-Day Visit Combines Diplomacy and Business

The August 23–24 visit is expected to highlight both the political and commercial dimensions of the France-Saudi relationship. With regional security concerns continuing and both countries seeking new areas of economic cooperation, the meetings in Paris could set priorities for the next phase of the bilateral partnership.

Sources: French presidency statements and international news reports, August 21–23, 2026.