The UAE and France strengthen their defense cooperation during Macron's visit to Abu Dhabi

On Tuesday, the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the exchange of the “Strategic Defense Partnership Framework” between the UAE and France, along with “executive arrangements regarding defense industries,” according to what was reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM). The strategic defense partnership framework exchange was led by Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs, and Catherine Vautrin, French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs.

The exchange of executive arrangements regarding defense industries was also undertaken by Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of the Tawazun Council for Defense Empowerment in the Emirates, and Patrick Belloux, Head of the General Directorate of Armaments in France. The ceremony of exchanging the two documents took place within the framework of Macron’s official visit to the Emirates, as part of a Gulf tour that he began, on Monday, with a visit to Kuwait, and includes Bahrain and Qatar.

On Monday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Macron discussed ways to enhance strategic relations between the two countries and expand cooperation horizons, especially in the economic, investment, energy, advanced technology and artificial intelligence fields, in addition to other areas that support the aspirations of the two countries to achieve sustainable development and prosperity for their people. During the meeting, the two sides affirmed their “keenness to continue supporting Emirati-French cooperation in vital sectors, and to enhance progress in joint projects, especially in the fields of energy, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence,” according to WAM.

The two sides also reviewed a number of regional and international issues, most notably developments in the Middle East region, and exchanged views on them, with a focus on the efforts made to contain the repercussions of these developments on maritime navigation security and global energy supplies. The two sides stressed their mutual keenness to "continue coordination and work together to enhance security, stability and peace in the region, in a way that serves the interests of its peoples and countries."

The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, awarded French President Emmanuel Macron, on Monday, the “Mubarak Al-Kabeer Necklace,” in appreciation of him and the gratitude of the Kuwaiti people, and within the framework of strengthening relations between the two countries. According to Kuwait News Agency KUNA, Macron awarded the Emir of Kuwait the French Order of the Legion of Honour, with the rank of the Grand Cross, which is the highest rank in this French national order, in appreciation of his prominent role in expanding the horizons of cooperation and strengthening relations between Kuwait and France at various levels.