RIYADH: French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian and Gerard Mestrallet, chairman of the French Agency for AlUla, visited Mada’in Saleh in AlUla governorate. Le Drian, on a two-day visit to the Kingdom, earlier met Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir and Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh. In separate meetings, they reviewed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing aspects of cooperation between the two countries. They also exchanged views with regard to the latest developments in the region, and discussed a number of international issues of common interest. The French Agency for AlUla was founded in Paris in July 2018 to support Saudi Arabia in the economic, touristic and cultural development of AlUla. The historic cooperation between the two nations aims to strengthen Saudi cultural and historic outreach and make the AlUla region a world-class destination. Mestrallet said that Saudi Arabia and France shared a vision to implement a new economic and touristic development model, focused on the absolute preservation of the environment, respectful of history, and inclusive of local populations.