United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on Monday.
They discussed opportunities for collaborating and expanding their longstanding partnership alongside overall developments and approaches to topics of regional and global concern, reported the UAE’s state news agency (WAM).
Sheikh Mohamed and Macron reviewed new agreements that expand decades of partnership and collaboration between the UAE and France across investment, the economy, cultural exchange, scientific innovation, advanced technology, future energy, food security, and climate change.
Sheikh Mohamed said collaboration across energy of all kinds is critical, noting that the UAE is committed to supporting energy security to all people.
In discussing regional and global instability, the leaders also expressed their joint commitment to favoring de-escalation, peaceful coexistence and relationship building as a way of working towards resolving such challenges.
Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the important role that France has played in the Middle East, noting his interest in continuing to work together with France to promote peace, stability, and security for all in the region.
He reiterated the common interest that the UAE and France share in confronting climate change, including the opportunity to move forward with clear action at COP28, which will be hosted in the UAE in 2023.
Macron awarded Sheikh Mohamed the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, the highest French national order, in recognition of his role in strengthening friendship and cooperation relations between the UAE and France at various levels.
In return, Sheikh Mohamed granted Macron the Order of Zayed, the highest civilian honor in the UAE awarded to presidents and kings who have played prominent roles in serving the two countries' relations and prosperity.
