France has strengthened its presence in the Gulf region through agreements and political positions made by French President Emmanuel Macron in the United Arab Emirates.
Macron is on an official trip to the Gulf region, visiting Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar between Dec. 3 and 4.
The UAE and France have signed major deals, including an order of Rafale fighter jets and combat helicopters, on Friday to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Remarkably, the French president considered it “extremely difficult” to reach an agreement with Iran if the Gulf states were not part of it, expressing hope for progress on the Lebanese crisis.
During his tour of Gulf states, Macron is supposed to discuss basic strategic issues in the region, such as the fight against terrorism and extremism, the Lebanon crisis, the elections in Libya, the Iranian nuclear deal, and others.
The Elysee presidential palace affirmed that Macron “continues his commitment,” since the beginning of his presidential term in 2017, to "contributing to the stability" of the region extending from the “Mediterranean to the Gulf.”
Also, the French presidency said the arms deal, signed at a ceremony between Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Macron on the sidelines of the Dubai Expo 2020, is worth $19 billion.
The deal will directly support 7,000 jobs in France and guarantee the supply chain of the Dassault Aviation-made aircraft until the end of 2031. The first French warplanes will be delivered from 2027.
Defense sources said the Rafale would replace the Mirage 2000 fleet the UAE acquired in 1998.
"This French commitment in the region, this active cooperation in the fight against terrorism, the clear positions we have taken mean that we have increased our proximity to the UAE,” Macron said.
The French President congratulated Sheikh Mohamed and the UAE on the country’s 50th anniversary.
He wished the Emirates further progress and prosperity and expressed his country's aspiration to cooperate with the UAE to carry out joint initiatives that serve the interests of both countries and support peace efforts in the region.
The leaders discussed friendly relations and cooperation in various sectors, including advanced technology, energy, food security and education.
