UAE, France draw ‘bilateral road map’

Mohammad Bin Zayed’s visit to France opens up opportunities in seven areas of cooperation

Anew ‘bilateral road map’ will help the UAE and France bolster ties, according to a joint communique issued yesterday.

The joint statement comes in the wake of the November 21 visit to France of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, where he held high-level talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The talks opened up diverse prospects in seven areas ranging from education, economy and security to space, culture, environment and climate change. “President Macron and Shaikh Mohammad held in-depth discussions on regional and international issues of common interest and priority, in particular the fight against terrorism and countering extremism,” the statement read.

The areas envisaged for greater cooperation include education and francophone, culture and heritage, economy and investment, energy, environment and the fight against climate change, space, regional peace and security, defence cooperation and the fight against terrorism and countering extremism and their supporters, and political consultations, according to the statement. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Reintroduction of French language teaching in 10 state schools in the UAE welcomed.

Paris Hospital Foundations and the American Hospital of Paris

each signed agreements with the UAE Department of Health. France welcomed the

Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi in 2019,

in which France will participate with a delegation of more than 100 athletes.

The leaders decided to organise a

to celebrate the UAE’s 50th National Day. Extension of

Franco Emirati Fund) with an additional €700 million

planned.

Both countries reaffirm their support

green economy initiatives

and agreed to develop joint projects in the field of renewable energies and artificial intelligence. France congratulates the UAE on the successful launch of

KhalifaSat.

A key aspect of cultural collaboration includes the proposed launch of a francophone radio service in the UAE. Both leaders also welcomed the recent developments in regard to the French participation in Dubai Expo 2020.

Shaikh Mohammad also held a working session with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and several CEOs of French companies.