French President Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Discuss Bilateral Relations and Key Global Issues

 French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a one-on-one luncheon meeting at the Elysee Palace on Friday. This visit is expected to be more extensive and cover a range of topics compared to the crown prince's previous trip to Paris in July last year. The meeting offers an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss bilateral relations and the latest developments on various matters of mutual interest.

The crown prince's visit will coincide with other significant events, including a meeting of the International Bureau of Expositions and a summit organized by France to address a new Global Financing Pact. The timing of the visit is noteworthy, following the recent announcement of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, a development that has captured France's attention. The Elysee Palace responded to this development by acknowledging the potential for easing tensions in the region but emphasized the need for verification.

From France's perspective, the normalization of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia raises important considerations regarding their impact on shared interests. Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq are key focal points for discussion, along with the ongoing Iran nuclear deal. France seeks to understand the Saudi position on Lebanon, where the dominance of Hezbollah and Iran's influence has been cited as obstacles to progress. France aims to facilitate a constructive dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran to create favorable conditions for Lebanon's presidential elections while promoting stability and security in the country.

Regarding Syria, President Macron is keen to hear the crown prince's perspective on encouraging President Bashar Assad to comply with Saudi demands, the specifics of which are yet to be disclosed. The Iranian nuclear program will also feature prominently, as France seeks the crown prince's assessment of the perceived Iranian threat and expectations following the restoration of diplomatic relations, as well as Saudi Arabia's approach to addressing this issue.

Although the agenda is packed, the situation in Ukraine will not be overlooked. France calls on Saudi Arabia, among its partners, to consider the global implications and potential repercussions of the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing the need to accelerate an end to the war and support Ukraine's security and sovereignty.

In a broader context, the crown prince's visit, initiated at his request, aims to define the objectives of bilateral cooperation in key areas of mutual interest. These include security, defense, and the energy transition, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia's ambitious energy goals.

While the decision on Saudi Arabia's bid to host Expo 2030 is still pending until next year, France has already expressed its support. The participation of the crown prince in the summit organized by France to discuss a new Global Financing Pact, scheduled for June 22 and 23, is yet to be confirmed. President Macron intends to bring together a broad coalition of willing countries during this event to mobilize the necessary funding to address poverty reduction and facilitate a fair green transition.

The Elysee underscores the significance of the crown prince's visit, highlighting the aim of defining crucial areas of cooperation essential to the existing partnership between France and Saudi Arabia. The discussions will encompass security, defense, energy transition, and engagement on important global issues.