Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense starts on Thursday his official visit to Spain. The Royal Court said in a statement that the Crown Prince headed to Spain on Wednesday upon directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and in response to an invitation from the Madrid government. Prince Mohammed will meet with Spanish King Felipe VI, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and a number of officials to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and discuss issues of common interest. The Spanish monarch will hold a luncheon in honor of the Crown Prince, in the presence of the Prime Minister, and Ministers of Foreign affairs, Defense, Public Works and Energy, as well as heads of the House of Representatives and senior businessmen. Prince Mohammed arrived on Wednesday at the Torrejon Air Base, on the outskirts of Madrid, coming from Paris. A senior Spanish government source described the visit as the beginning of a new phase that consolidates the close historic relations linking Spain with the top regional power in the Middle East. "Saudi Arabia, in addition to its regional and international economic role, is key to solving most of the crises in a region that Spain considers vital for its strategic security," added the source. Former King of Spain Juan Carlos hoped in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that this first meeting between the “young King and the young Saudi Crown Prince will become the foundation for the consolidation of historic relations between Spain and Saudi Arabia in various fields.” Juan Carlos, who recently visited Saudi Arabia, played a key role in the largest economic agreement struck between the two countries (worth $8 billion). The agreement stated that Spain will build al-Haramain fast train connecting Makkah with Madinah. A source told Asharq Al-Awsat that both countries are discussing Spains participation in Vision 2030 projects, and they will also discuss aspects of security cooperation to combat extremist terrorism. The talks are expected to culminate with the signature of a $2.5 billion contract between Navantia and the Saudi Military Industries Corporation, which was founded last year.