France thanks UAE for helping its citizens leave Afghanistan

Florence Parly, France's Minister of the Armed Forces, expresses her gratitude for Emirati assistance

A ground controller guides a French Air Force Airbus A400M to its stand in Abu Dhabi, on a stopover en route to Afghanistan to help French citizens leave the country. AFP

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France thanked the UAE for helping its citizens to leave Afghanistan after the Taliban seized control of the country.

Florence Parly, France's Minister of the Armed Forces, offered her gratitude for the Emirati assistance during a phone call to Mohammed Al Bawardi, UAE Minister of State for Defence Affairs.

The first French military plane carrying French citizens from Afghanistan landed overnight in Abu Dhabi, Ms Parly said on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Mr Al Bawardi emphasised the UAE's commitment to supporting its allies in efforts to protect security and stability in the region.

The two ministers discussed efforts to bolster military ties between the nations during the call, state news agency Wam reported.

Earlier, the UAE expressed its hope that stability could be achieved in Afghanistan.

"The UAE confirmed that it is closely following recent developments in brotherly Afghanistan, stressing the need to urgently achieve stability and security in Afghanistan," Wam reported on Tuesday.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation expressed its hope that Afghan parties will exert all efforts to establish security and achieve stability and development in Afghanistan in a manner that fulfils the hopes and aspirations of its brotherly people."