Macron Hails Saudi Crown Prince’s Visit as ‘Important Milestone’

French President Emmanuel Macron has hailed the current state visit of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman as an "important milestone" in bilateral relations. This visit underscores the continued diplomatic engagement between France and Saudi Arabia.

According to a review of official sources, this marks the ninth official visit exchanged between the leaders of the two nations since 2015. The Crown Prince has visited France six times officially since 2015, including his current trip. President Macron, in turn, has made three official visits to Saudi Arabia since assuming office in 2017.

The historical context of these visits reveals a pattern of consistent high-level interaction. Mohammed bin Salman's first official trip to France was in June 2015, where he met then-President François Hollande and signed agreements worth $12 billion. Subsequent visits in 2016 and 2018 focused on developing bilateral ties, cooperation under Saudi Vision 2030, regional security, and economic partnerships, leading to further agreements and business forums.

Macron's visits to Saudi Arabia, starting in November 2017, have also been pivotal. Discussions have centered on regional stability, counterterrorism, and peace efforts. During his 2021 visit to Jeddah, discussions expanded to include Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, and counterterrorism, alongside efforts to broaden economic and investment cooperation in areas like new technologies and renewable energy.

“

Important milestone