Saudi Crown Prince Visits Paris for Strategic Talks, Esports Event

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is on a two-day official visit to Paris, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The two leaders will chair the first meeting of the Saudi-French strategic partnership council on August 24. Discussions are expected to cover the war in Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and new energy routes to bypass the Strait. Expected agreements include a Dragon-Ball themed amusement park deal in the Paris region and the sale of French military equipment to Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed bin Salman and Emmanuel Macron also appeared at the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup in Paris, an event organized and financed by Saudi Arabia and held outside the country for the first time. Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in the global gaming industry, including a $55 billion deal for Electronic Arts, as part of its efforts to diversify away from oil and gas.