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Mohammed bin Salman: Faced with the energy crisis, the Saudi Crown Prince is back on the international stage
Photo: BANDAR AL-JALOUD / AFP
First a fist bump with US President Joe Biden, now a dinner with the French President: Mohammed bin Salman was ostracized for a long time - but in view of the international energy crisis, the Saudi crown prince seems to be socially acceptable again.
During his visit to France, Emmanuel Marcon will receive the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia at the Élysée Palace.
This was announced by the French government.
A joint dinner is planned for tomorrow, Thursday.
The Crown Prince is currently on a trip to Europe.
It is his first visit to the European Union since the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Khashoggi, who wrote a column for the Washington Post, was brutally killed by a hit squad in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in autumn 2018.
US secret services see the crown prince as directly responsible.
He denied ordering the killing.
Against the background of the war in Ukraine and skyrocketing energy prices, the Saudi crown prince is returning to the international stage: Less than two weeks ago, US President Biden bin Salman paid a visit to Saudi Arabia, which included an increase of the oil production in the Gulf State went - so that the oil price falls and inflation in the USA is curbed.
"Warm reception" in Greece
He met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens on Tuesday.
They want to cement economic cooperation between the two countries and will sign important agreements, Mitsotakis said on Tuesday evening at the welcome broadcast by state television.
"I am very glad to be in Greece," said the Crown Prince.
»The warm welcome means a lot to me and to Saudi Arabia«.
He described the meeting as a "game changer" - there are historic opportunities for cooperation in the field of energy, among other things.
A planned connection of the electricity grids could supply Greece and other European countries with much cheaper renewable energies.
A corresponding contract should be signed in Athens.
In addition, he wanted to talk about hydrogen as an energy source and how Greece could become a “hydrogen hub”.
Crown Prince Mohammed traveled to Athens with dozens of businessmen and ministers.
According to Mitsotakis, it was also about strategic and military cooperation and Saudi investments.
He does not come empty-handed, said the crown prince.
asc/til/dpa
