Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is visiting Paris this week for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and to attend business events. This marks MBS’s second visit to France in a year, highlighting the growing diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.
On Friday, Macron will host bin Salman at the Elysee Palace for a working lunch where they will discuss the relationship between Paris and Riyadh. MBS will also lead the Saudi delegation at a summit in Paris called “For a New Global Financial Pact” on June 22-23.
Read more: Macron, Saudi crown prince agree to diversify energy supplies
In addition, on Monday, the crown prince will participate in the kingdom’s reception for Riyadh’s candidacy to host Expo 2030. Saudi Arabia applied to host the expo in Riyadh in 2030 under the proposed theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.”
France and Saudi Arabia have a long history of collaboration and share interests in various sectors, including energy, defense, education, culture, and economics. Bilateral relations have been growing in recent years, with France exporting $4.07 billion to Saudi Arabia in 2022 and importing $7.05 billion during the same period, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.
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