Agenda of France’s Great Guest: Historic visit of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed
French President Emmanuel Macron’s advisors expressed the Élysée Palace’s pleasure at the visit of President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, especially as it is his first state visit since his inauguration on May 14.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will begin a state visit to France on Monday.
During the visit, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will discuss with the French President relations of friendship, prospects for cooperation and joint action in various aspects, especially in the fields of future energy, climate change and advanced technology, in addition to strengthening cooperation in the sectors of education, culture and space, in light of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
The two sides will discuss regional and international issues and developments of interest to both countries and ways to enhance security and stability in the region.
The Élysée Palace said that the selection of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit France is a strong symbolic gesture that confirms the strength and strength of the bilateral strategic partnership between France and the United Arab Emirates and the rapprochement of the two countries.
The visit also comes in an exceptionally international and regional context, given the war in Ukraine and the stalled nuclear negotiations with Iran.
The Élysée Palace confirmed that the visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the second state visit by a UAE to France after the late Sheikh Zayed’s visit in 1991, under the presidency of François Mitterrand.
President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan will arrive in France on Sunday afternoon (July 17th), where he will be received by Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, the Élysée Palace announced.
The agenda for the visit starts the next morning, Monday, July 18. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is scheduled to arrive in the morning at the Palace of Invalides and be received by the Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu.
An official and military ceremony is scheduled to be held to welcome and honor France’s Grand Guest, before the presidential convoy will move in cars to the Élysée Palace, where President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will greet Macron at 12:30 p.m. local time (14:30 UAE time), on a luncheon in honor of the French Grand Guest.
According to the Élysée Palace, the two presidents’ talks will be topped by continuing to deepen the strategic partnership, which was discussed during the French president’s Gulf tour at the beginning of December, particularly in the areas of security, defense, energy and future technologies.
It is about strengthening an already intense and close bilateral relationship, particularly with regard to investments, culture, education and space, and enhancing cooperation in addressing global challenges, in particular responding to the global energy crisis and accelerating climate shifts.
The two leaders will discuss joint efforts by France and the United Arab Emirates to achieve regional stability and security. The two leaders will also discuss regional issues in the context of the current exceptional international situation.
According to the French presidential advisors, the talks will also cover issues of common concern, especially security issues, the continuation of the war against terrorism, and strengthening dialog on regional issues.
As for the economic aspect, the Élysée Palace confirmed that the repercussions of the war in Ukraine on global energy will be discussed, therefore a partnership agreement will be signed on energy, especially renewable energy, and the visit will also witness the signing of a climate agreement.
The French-UAE relations “have been continuously developing since 1991 and have deepened and deepened to include all levels and fields”, said Élysée Palace advisors.
The palace’s advisors said that economic contracts will be signed between the two countries in the fields of energy, transportation, and waste treatment. The agreement to purchase a squadron of French helicopters (12 Caracal) and a massive deal of 80 Rafale fighter jets, which has entered into force and is worth about $19 billion, will also be pursued.
On Monday afternoon, President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is scheduled to meet with Senate President Gérard Larcher.
In the evening, at 9:15 pm (11:15 UAE time), Macron and his wife, Brigitte, host an official dinner in honor of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the Grand Trianon Palace in Versailles.
The state dinner will be attended by about 100 high-ranking French personalities invited in honor of the Grand Guest of France, led by the presidents of the two chambers of the French parliament (the National Assembly and the Senate), former presidents of France and the French Prime Minister, a group of ministers and heads of major companies concerned, and French scientific, cultural, research and sports figures.
On Tuesday morning, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will meet with National Assembly President Yel Brun-Beefe and Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne before concluding his visit to France.
