Sheikh Mohamed, Macron Discuss Strengthening Ties Between UAE And France

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday. The talks between the two leaders centered around the long-standing ties between the UAE and France and other issues of mutual concern.

The UAE President reviewed with Macron the strategic links between the two countries and explored areas where they could further extend their ties.

The leaders also discussed the possibility of collaborating in certain fields, with a focus on culture and the environment, space, renewable energy, and climate change. They also held talks on other priority areas, including sustainable development, advanced technology, investment, food security, and the economy.

Also included in the agenda was the discussion of regional and international developments that directly impact both the UAE and France, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to promoting peace. Both leaders also stressed the importance of pushing for stability and cooperation among nations.

Sheikh Mohamed also shared during the meeting updates on the upcoming COP28, which will be hosted by the UAE at the Dubai City Expo in November. The leaders reiterated their commitment to caring for the environment and their belief in the importance of joint action in combating climate change, with both emphasizing the need for collaborative measures to curb its negative effects.

After the meeting, Macron expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Mohamed for the visit. Sheikh reMohamed also thanked the French leader and expressed his appreciation for their warm ception in Paris.

Sheikh Mohamed also took to Twitter Thursday evening to share about the meeting. "The UAE and France share a strong, historic partnership and today in Paris I joined President Emmanuel Macron to explore opportunities for further collaboration across various sectors," he wrote. "Together, we remain committed to promoting a stable and prosperous future for all."

The official visit is Sheikh Mohamed's second trip to France in 12 months. He visited the country in July, two months following Macron's presidential win. On Wednesday evening, UAE's ambassador to France Hend Al Otaiba tweeted about the recent meeting, saying it was intended to strengthen ties between the UAE and France.

"The visit will be marked by a planned meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, in order to consolidate the long-standing strategic partnership between the UAE and France, and to strengthen bilateral cooperation in different sectors," he wrote.