Macron welcomes Saudi crown prince for high-stakes two-day visit

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, on Sunday for a two-day visit focused on energy, health, and transport ties. The two leaders met in Paris at the start of a trip that underscores the strengthening relationship between France and the Gulf kingdom. Officials say several agreements on health, transport, and energy will be signed on Monday, the visit’s second day. The talks come as European nations seek to balance energy security with diplomatic engagement in the Middle East. No further details on the agreements were released.