For his first official visit outside the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed Ben Zayed chooses Paris
In this image provided by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed waves as he leaves King Abdulaziz International Airport on July 16, 2022, after attending the Jeddah Security Summit and development.
AFP - -
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
The President of the United Arab Emirates is in Paris.
Mohammed Ben Zayed, known as MBZ, arrived on the evening of Sunday July 17, welcomed by French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire.
This Monday, he must have lunch with Emmanuel Macron before a dinner at Versailles.
MBZ, president of the United Arab Emirates since mid-May and the death of his half-brother, is making his first state visit abroad.
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For the Élysée, this is a "
strong and symbolic gesture
".
The illustration of the "
strength of partnership
" that unites Paris and Abu Dhabi.
Strategic allies in the Arab world, the United Arab Emirates are also among the largest customers of French industry.
Emmanuel Macron's last visit to Abu Dhabi in December resulted in the record sale of 80 Rafales aircraft and the signing of more than $15 billion in contracts.
This is also what can sometimes push Paris to ignore
the authoritarian abuses of power
.
Contracts, it will be discussed again this Monday.
After lunch at the Élysée, Emmanuel Macron will meet Mohammed ben Zayed at the Palace of Versailles in the evening.
A state dinner in the presence of a hundred guests from the worlds of politics, business, culture and sports.
►
To read also: the portrait of
Mohammed ben Zayed, the other "prince of war"
The opportunity to consolidate existing partnerships, but also to launch new ones, particularly in energy.
Paris and Abu Dhabi must commit to joint investment projects in hydrogen, nuclear or renewable energies.
The Emirates should also announce the delivery of hydrocarbons to France, a welcome gesture at a time when Paris is seeking to emancipate itself from Russian oil.
►
To read also: United Arab Emirates: the film "Buzz Lightyear" banned because of a lesbian kiss
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Geopolitics
United Arab Emirates
France