Reception for project on Saudi historic region held in the Louvre

A reception for the Saudi royal commission for Al Ula was held in the grand hall in the Louvre in Paris on Monday.

It was attended by a number of ministers including French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Cultural Minister Awwad Alawwad and political and cultural figures from both countries.

France and Saudi Arabia are set to sign a cooperation to develop the Saudi city of Al Ula during Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s current visit to Paris.

Gerard Mestrallet, who leads the French agency in charge of the project, told Al-Arabiya news channel that the Al Ula project is an amazing project between Saudi Arabia and France, adding it is the product of mutual will between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron to develop Al Ula area, one of the most beautiful touristic sites.

“It’s a great honor for France to have its mission participate in this project. Macron asked me to be his special envoy for cooperation and to provide the best French expertise in the fields of archaeology, tourism and architecture and to follow up with Saudi Arabia,” Mestrallet said.

He also said that he’s been twice to Al Ula where there are undiscovered breathtaking natural scenery, adding that all tourist attraction factors are available for the success of this splendid project.

Jack Lang, president of the Arab World Institute and member of the French delegation for the Al Ula project, told Al Arabiya news channel that the location of Al Ula is one of the most wonderful in the world.

He also said that next year, the Arab World Institute will organize an exhibition about the Al Ula project to display the history of the region.

Asked if he’s been to Al Ula, he said: “I’ve been lucky to visit it twice. I will go to Riyadh in the end of this month to participate in the works of Al Ula commission and we will go to Al Ula again, which I am looking forward to.”