Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Paris on Sunday for a two-day state visit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, with discussions expected to centre on defence, investment and energy security amid the ongoing Strait of Hormuz closure.
The visit opens with the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup, hosted outside Saudi Arabia for the first time. A ministerial meeting on Monday will address energy supply diversification as the Iranian blockade of the strait continues to disrupt global shipping lanes. The two leaders are also expected to discuss reopening the Bab el-Mandeb strait to international navigation.
The Élysée said numerous agreements spanning health, transport and energy will be signed on the second day. Officials declined to comment on whether deals include a planned Dragon Ball theme park in the Val-d'Oise region. The trip marks the crown prince's first foreign visit in several months.