The President concludes his historic visit to France
Mohamed bin Zayed: We seek to consolidate our relations with France with strong economic ties
Mohamed bin Zayed upon his departure from Paris, concluding a two-day state visit.
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His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, concluded yesterday a two-day state visit to the friendly French Republic.
An official farewell ceremony was held for His Highness at Aghli Airport, where the UAE national anthem was played.
His Highness said in a post on Twitter: "I witnessed with President Emmanuel Macron the signing of an agreement to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership in the energy field between the UAE and France, to enhance and accelerate work in this vital and important sector.
We seek to consolidate relations with strong and sustainable economic ties.”
During the visit, His Highness the President met French President Emmanuel Macron and a number of senior French officials, and discussed with them the strategic relations between the two friendly countries and ways to enhance them to serve mutual interests, in addition to consultation and coordination on regional and international issues of common concern.
His Highness was accompanied during his visit to France by a delegation that included His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, member of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Families of the martyrs in the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Culture and Youth Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment Maryam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs Shamma bint Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrouei, and Diplomatic Adviser To His Highness, the President of the State, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash,and Cultural Adviser to His Highness the President of the State Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority Khaldoun Khalifa Al Mubarak, Adviser at the Presidential Office Muhammad Mubarak Al Mazrouei, and the State's Ambassador to France Hind Al Otaiba.
President Emmanuel Macron once again offered his sincere condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, who was an exceptional leader who was respected and appreciated by the world.
He also extended his warm congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on his election as President of the UAE, wishing the people of the UAE continued progress and prosperity under the leadership of His Highness.
The French President thanked His Highness for accepting the invitation on his first state visit to France, which dealt with the well-established strategic relations between the two countries.
The two presidents praised the depth of the strategic partnership between the UAE and France, which is based on solid friendship and mutual trust between the two countries, stressing the joint commitment towards expanding the horizons of bilateral cooperation in all fields, and working together in facing global and regional challenges.
The crisis in Ukraine
The two Presidents expressed their deep concern about the war in Ukraine, its horrific impact on civilians, its repercussions on the humanitarian situation, and its implications for global commodity markets.
They stressed the urgent need to intensify diplomatic efforts to reach a solution to the crisis.
His Highness praised the tireless efforts made by President Macron in this regard.
Energy and food security
The two presidents discussed a set of regional and global opportunities and challenges.
They agreed to work together to find solutions to mitigate its impact on the two countries and the world.
They also agreed to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership in the energy field between the UAE and France, which represents an important step towards enhancing energy security and cost stability.
The two presidents also welcomed the agreement between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company "ADNOC" and "Total Energy", on the provision of fuel, with the aim of increasing the security of fuel supplies in France.
The UAE affirmed its support for global efforts on food security and its work with France to find ways to ease the continuing pressures on the global supply system.
It also announced its support for the “Enhancing Resilience in Food and Agriculture (FARM)” initiative, especially with regard to the adoption of the food trade system, which is characterized by openness, transparency and flexibility, as well as the provision of relevant information to support the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS).
Economy, investment and industry
The two presidents expressed their common ambitions to continue expanding the distinguished economic partnership between the two countries, based on the promising investment partnership launched in December 2021.
The two sides expressed their interest in developing bilateral cooperation in areas of common interests and capabilities.
The two sides also commended the UAE-French Businessmen Council, which was launched during His Highness's visit to France, and aims to open new horizons and raise the level of bilateral cooperation in a number of sectors of common interest, to serve the markets of the two countries.
The two sides noted the importance of the council, as it is one of the important channels for expanding constructive cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.
They affirmed their common desire to hold the inaugural meeting of the Council during the coming period.
climate action
The two presidents stressed the importance of climate action, which is a top priority for the two countries, expressing common aspirations and goals in this important field.
President Macron congratulated the UAE on its choice to host the 28th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP-28), which will start in 2023. He stressed France's readiness to provide full support and share its experience in organizing the 21st session of the same conference.
The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding on climate action to enhance prospects for joint cooperation between France and the UAE.
The French side congratulated the UAE for successfully operating its peaceful nuclear energy programme.
The two sides affirmed the important role of nuclear energy in supporting the efforts of the two countries to reduce carbon emissions in the energy sectors, and their determination to continue solid cooperation in this sector, through the exchange of technical expertise and the provision of technology and nuclear fuel, as well as the areas of research and development.
The two sides also praised the progress made on the Memorandum of Understanding on decarbonized hydrogen.
With regard to marine research and development efforts, the two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation to develop a marine research program to promote a sustainable blue economy.
The medical section
The two presidents agreed on the importance of the health sector and the main areas of cooperation between the two countries, which can be expanded as they are among the priority areas for development and the exchange of experiences between the state and France.
The cardiovascular disease prevention project, which is a joint collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Center for Public Health and public hospitals in Paris, is one example of successful cooperation. Under the memorandum of understanding signed in December 2020, the project was implemented by a team of French experts.
The project succeeded in promoting growth, sustainability and global competitiveness in this field, as well as exchanging experiences and information.
The two sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Pasteur Institute and the Abu Dhabi Center for Public Health, noting the possibility that this cooperation could yield positive results for both parties.
The two sides also referred to the possibilities of cooperation in the field of higher education that focus on developing expertise in the field of health care.
Education, culture and space
The two sides stressed the importance of education, culture and science as one of the most important pillars of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, noting the importance of current projects such as Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and efforts to expand cooperation in the field of higher education with French educational centers such as Ecole 42 and Normandy Business School.
(EM Normandie), and the European School of Commerce (ESCP).
The two sides showed great interest in future projects, such as the "Rubica Vocational School", calling for strengthening cooperation in the UAE with French higher education institutions, and expanding the scope of teaching French in Emirati schools.
The two presidents also discussed the possibilities of exploring new opportunities for cultural cooperation, after the successful partnership embodied in the Louvre Museum - Abu Dhabi.
As the space sector is one of the main catalysts for the development of science and technology, the UAE and French sides signed several agreements related to Earth observation and initiatives on climate change and moon exploration, in order to strengthen and consolidate cooperation in this important field.
peace and stability
The two presidents stressed the importance of the strategic partnership, as it is an essential element in the joint and reciprocal cooperation efforts towards achieving peace and stability in the region and beyond.
The UAE and France, as founding members of the International Security Alliance since 2017, stressed their commitment to combating extremism and cross-border crime, by exchanging experiences and continuing to strengthen joint efforts with the rest of the member states.
The two presidents discussed prospects for promoting peace, dialogue and diplomacy in the region, and expressed their hope that the nuclear negotiations with Iran would lead to an agreement that guarantees strengthening regional security.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan praised the success of the Baghdad Conference on Partnership and Cooperation, while President Macron praised the Abrahamic Agreement, which contributes to spreading peace and prosperity in the region by extending bridges and cooperation.
The two presidents emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to promote peace and prosperity.
Looking outside the region, the two presidents noted the importance of the multilateral system as an ideal way to increase mutual understanding and trust at the international level, at a time when collective cooperation is most needed.
President Macron praised the UAE's role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, while His Highness the Head of State praised the achievements in the field of multilateralism, which were achieved during the French presidency of the European Union.
The two presidents reiterated their commitment to expanding and developing the historical cooperation between the two countries and opening new horizons for cooperation in all fields, to enhance their role in achieving peace and stability in the region and beyond.
The President of the State visits the Monument to the Unknown Soldier
Yesterday, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, visited the memorial to the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, as part of a state visit paid by His Highness to the French Republic.
Official military ceremonies were held for His Highness upon his arrival at the headquarters of the edifice, and the national anthems of the UAE and the French Republic were played.
Then His Highness laid a wreath at the "Unknown Soldier" monument.
In a speech he wrote in the visitors' book, His Highness said: "A salute of appreciation to all the souls who sacrificed in order to defend their homelands."
Paris - WAM
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