France to host reformist Saudi crown prince on global tour

Saudi Arabia's crown prince arrives in France today on the next leg of his global tour aimed at reshaping his kingdom's austere image overseas as he seeks to reform the conservative petrostate.

President Emmanuel Macron will walk a diplomatic tightrope during Prince Mohammed bin Salman's two-day official visit starting tomorrow.

The trip is set to focus on cultural ties and investments as well as the war in Yemen, dubbed the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

It follows a coast-to-coast tour of the United States as well as Britain and Egypt, where he courted multimillion dollar deals, from defence to entertainment.

Around 14 memorandums of understanding in energy, agriculture, tourism and culture are set to be signed between French and Saudi organisations, a source close to the crown prince's delegation told AFP.

A Franco-Saudi cooperation deal to develop Al Ula, a Saudi city richly endowed with archeological remnants, is also expected to be a central highlight of the visit, he added.

Aside from meetings with the French president, prime minister and trade officials, the heir to the Saudi throne is also considering a visit to the Paris-based tech startup campus Station F and a concert in southern Aix-en-Provence, the source said.

"This is not a traditional state visit," another source close to the delegation told AFP.

"It is about forging a new partnership with France, not just shopping for deals."
"The leadership of both countries share much in common. They are both young, visionary and ambitious."