A “working dinner” between the French president and the Saudi crown prince. Emmanuel Macron will receive Mohammed Ben Salmane at the Elysee on Thursday night, during the latter’s official visit to France, Paris announced in a press release published on Wednesday.

This is the prince’s first visit to Europe since he was isolated after the murder of journalist critical of the Saudi regime Jamal Khashoggi, in Istanbul, which he would have “validated” according to US intelligence. Implication that Saudi Arabia has always denied.

controversial meeting in December

The last meeting between the French president and Mohammed Ben Salman dates back to December. Emmanuel Macron then went to Saudi Arabia to discuss with the crown prince about “stability” in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon.

This interview had sparked controversy, with Emmanuel Macron being one of the first Western leaders to take a step towards the Saudi for several years.

The Head of State had justified his intentions by considering it necessary to speak with Saudi Arabia, “the largest country in the Gulf”, in order to “work for the stability of the region”, without being “complacent” with Saudi Arabia.

Two weeks earlier, Biden met with MBS

The meeting scheduled for Thursday comes less than two weeks after the one between “MBS” and Joe Biden, also widely criticized when the US president announced his intention to turn Saudi Arabia into a “pariah state”, upon his arrival at the White House. .

Despite these initial threats, the two leaders exchanged a quick “check” of fists during their meeting in Jeddah.

However, these recent rapprochements can be explained by rising energy prices linked to the war in Ukraine and regional tensions linked to Iranian nuclear and ballistic programs. A context in which Mohammed Bin Salman once again becomes a key player in the Middle East for Western leaders.