Saudi Crown Prince’s France visit to focus on energy, investment: French source

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit to France will include a ministerial meeting focused on diversifying energy supply routes, a French presidential source said on Saturday.

The source said there was strong alignment between Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification program and France’s “France 2030” investment plan, adding that President Emmanuel Macron will call for increased Saudi investment in France during the visit.

The source also said the Mecca defense agreement was reshaping alliances in light of the new regional landscape.

The Crown Prince’s decision to make France his destination was itself a significant signal given that he rarely travels abroad, the source added.