Gen. Mohammed, Hollande discuss ties

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, discussed today with French President Francois Hollande relations of cooperation and friendship between the two countries, a variety of issues of common concern as well as the latest regional developments.

These agenda were discussed when the French President received at the Elysee Palace in the French capital Paris.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, who is on a one-day state visit to France.

Sheikh Mohammed conveyed regards of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the French president and his best wishes for more progress and prosperity for France and its friendly people.

The meeting reviewed the outstanding strategic relationship between the UAE and France and ways of enhancing them further within the context of bilateral friendship and strategically mutual interests. In this regards, the two sides expressed their determination to pursue their efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in cultural, social, educational and economic sectors, so as to deliver aspirations of the two friendly countries and people.

During the meeting, which was attended by UAE Foreign Minister HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his French counterpart Laurent Fabius, UAE and France emphasised their continuous efforts to further bolstering relations of cooperation and joint action as well as exchanging advanced experiments and experiences in all fields and harnessing investment opportunities that both countries can offer.

Speaking during the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed hailed UAE-France ties as ''strong and solid'' and receive care and support from President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also keen to elevate them to new heights.

Sheikh Mohammed said that today's meeting with President Hollande had provided a renewed opportunity to exchange views and ideas on a variety of issues of mutual interest, and on ways of enhancing joint coordination on latest regional developments and issues whereas the two countries can work together along with efforts being made by sisterly and friendly countries to maintain security and stability in the region.

For his part, the French head of state  welcomed Sheikh Mohammed to France, expressing his delight at meeting him and conferring with him on a broad-ranging issues of mutual concern, notably the joint cooperation amid the increasingly developing bilateral ties.

Hollande referred to the positive results of his talks with President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Khalifa during his visit to Abu Dhabi last January, in consolidating security and stability in the region.

The French president asked Sheikh Mohammed to convey his greetings to Sheikh Khalifa and his best wishes of good health and happiness to him. He also wished more progress and prosperity for the UAE friendly people.

The two sides exchanged views on a host of regional and international developments, emphasising the need for sustained consultation and coordination on them and on ongoing preparations for the international peace conference on Syria (Geneva II) during the current month. The two sides expressed their hope for the success of international efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis peacefully and end the increasing humanitarian suffering of Syrian people so that peace would prevail the region.

The meeting also took stock of progress in the Middle East peace process and ongoing efforts to remove obstacles before reaching a comprehensive, just peace settlement to the Palestinian Cause which contributes to laying down of foundations for security, stability and decent living for peoples of the region.

A number of senior Emirati and French officials attended the meeting.

Mohammed bin Zayed meets French defence minister

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, met today in the French capital Paris, Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Defence Minister, and discussed with him ways of bolstering bilateral ties for serving mutual interests of the two friendly countries and people.

The meeting, attended by Foreign Minister HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the French defence ministry, discussed avenues of cooperation between the two countries with emphasis on military and defence affairs and expanding this cooperation in areas of joint coordination and exchange of training and expertise in order to serve mutual interests.

Sheikh Mohammed and the French minister exchanged views on a variety of issues of common concern and took a look at the latest regional developments and challenges along with international efforts to contain them and solve them peacefully.

Upon arrival at the defence ministry, Sheikh Mohammed was accorded an official reception during which both the national anthems of the UAE and France were played after which HH inspected the guard of honour.

Sheikh Mohammed then wrote on the VIP book, expressing his appreciation at the significant role the French defence ministry played in advancing bilateral relations of cooperation and friendship.

A number of top Emirati and French officials attended the meeting.
 

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