Sheikh Mohammed receives French President

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on Thursday received French President Emmanuel Macron.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed and President Macron exchanged views on bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and emphasised the strategic partnership between the UAE and France. They also explored means of developing it at various levels and in all fields, which will be beneficial to their friendly people. H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, was also in attendance.

Sheikh Mohammed welcomed the visit of President Macron, describing it as historic and in line with the long-standing co-operation and friendship ties between the two countries and people, affirming that France has been a friend and a partner of the UAE for decades.

"We are partners of the French President and our friendship is firm and strong and based on mutual respect and common national interests for the two friendly people. We are proud of this friendship, and your visit is a real translation of the mutual feeling that brings together the leaders of the two countries and their people," Sheikh Mohammed said.

He further referred to the speech President Macron made on Wednesday night at the opening of Louvre Dubai, saying it carried a message to the world that "we are partners in enhancing the spirit of tolerance and equality among the people of the world and that we are working together to bridge gaps among different cultures."

President Macron said he was impressed with Sheikh Mohammed's speech, which focussed on the role of culture, humanity and innovation in bringing happiness to mankind and in rejecting wars and dark ideologies.

He described Dubai as "a city of love, tolerance and openness, with its modern infrastructure. It is a city that gives the feeling of comfort and happiness to its residents and visitors."

Sheikh Mohammed and President Macron witnessed the signing of three agreements and a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU.

The first agreement, signed by Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, and Francoise Nyssen, French Minister of Culture, provides for cultural and technical co-operation between the UAE and France.

The UAE and France also signed a declaration of interest for the creation of a Global Climate Observatory by the UAE Space Agency and the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, CNES. The agreement was signed by Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, and Jean-Yves Le Gall, President of CNES.

An agreement on France's participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, was signed by Najeeb Al Ali, Executive Director of the Expo 2020 Bureau, and Erik Linquier, Commissioner General of France for Expo 2020 Dubai.

An MoU was also signed between Mubadala Investment Company, CDC International Capital and BpiFrance Investment. It was signed by Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, Deputy Group CEO & Chief Executive Officer, Alternative Investments and Infrastructure in Mubadala, Laurent Vigier, Chairman and CEO of CDC International Capital, and Nicolas Dufourcq, CEO of BpiFrance Investment.

Also present were H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group; H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future; Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Mu'dhid Hareb Mugheer Al Khaili, UAE Ambassador to France; Ludovic Pouille, French Ambassador to the UAE, and other officials.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.