UAE's Hend Al Otaiba on what makes France a special ally

Ambassador to France says culture, shared values and a global outlook make the nations close partners

The President, Sheikh Mohamed, leaves France after his official state visit. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed stands for the national anthem. Catherine Colonna, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is also pictured. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed stands for the national anthems. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to Ms Colonna. Photo: Presidential Court

Members of the French honour guard play the national anthem before Sheikh Mohamed's departure. Photo: Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed speaks to Emirati students and doctors studying in France. Seen with Shamma bint Suhail Al Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Youth, second right, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, fourth right. Photo: Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed with Emirati students and doctors, along with Shamma bint Suhail Al Al Mazrouei, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, fourth from left. Photo: Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed meets students and doctors. Photo: Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed greets Emirati students and doctors who are studying in France. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed, with Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed, speaks to Catherine Colonna. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed arrives at Matignon Hotel in Paris to meet Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohamed arrives at the Matignon to meet Ms Borne. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed leaves Matignon hotel. Chris Whiteoak / The National

President Sheikh Mohamed signs a guest book during a military ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed stands at attention as the national anthems of the UAE and France are played at the Arc de Triomphe. Photo: Presidential Court

The UAE President greets a members of the Unknown Soldier’s Torch Committee. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Photo: Presidential Court

The UAE President meets Yael Braun-Pivet, sixth from right, President of the French National Assembly, in Paris. The senior UAE officials include Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed with Ms Braun-Pivet at the National Assembly Presidency Palace. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed is received by Ms Braun-Pivet during his state visit to France. Photo: Presidential Court

The UAE President gives a speech during a dinner hosted in his honour by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Versailles Grand Trianon in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed is in France on his first overseas trip as UAE President. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed discussed the important role that France has undertaken in the Middle East and expressed his interest in continuing to work together to promote peace, stability and security across the region. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed, Mr Macron and France's first lady Brigitte Macron at the Versailles Grand Trianon. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed with French Senate President Gerard Larcher in Paris. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE President met Mr Larcher at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court

Members of the UAE delegation attend the meeting at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, during the meeting at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed's decision to visit France on his first trip overseas as UAE head of state is considered highly significant and a recognition of the strength of ties between the two countries. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohamed and a delegation of ministers and senior officials began the day with a visit to the historic Les Invalides complex, home to the military museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE President then travelled a short distance to Luxembourg Palace. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mr Larcher said he was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the Cop28 climate change conference, which will be hosted at Expo City Dubai in November 2023, and 'a lot about the energy issue, which is very important'. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohamed arrives at Luxembourg Palace in Paris. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron watch as Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, and France's Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher sign a comprehensive strategic energy partnership between the two countries. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed, Mr Macron, Dr Al Jaber, Ms Pannier-Runacher and France's Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire after the signing ceremony in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed holds talks with Mr Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed is welcomed to Elysee Palace by Mr Macron. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed with Mr Macron and France's first lady Brigitte Macron after the UAE President's arrival at Elysee Palace in the French capital. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE leader warmly embraced Mr Macron on his arrival in Paris, describing him as a friend and his country as one of the Emirates' closest allies. Chris Whiteoak / The National

During a private lunch, the two leaders reviewed new agreements that expand decades of partnership and collaboration between the UAE and France. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohamed spoke about the common interest that the UAE and France share in confronting climate change. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A French guard of honour awaits the arrival of Sheikh Mohamed to Elysee Palace. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE President attends an official reception hosted by Sebastien Lecornu, France's Minister of Armed Forces, at the military museum in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed is accompanied by Mr Le Cornu as he inspects a guard of honour and meets officials at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court

The UAE President visited the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte within the Dome des Invalides at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed was set to meet top French officials during his two-day visit, including Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and President of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Mr Le Cornu at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Le Cornu stand at attention as the two countries' anthems are played. Photo: Presidential Court

The UAE President's motorcade arrives at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court

Emirati flags adorned the streets around Elysee and Luxembourg palaces. Photo: Presidential Court

The UAE and France cemented their relationship during a high-level meeting between their presidents this week.

President Sheikh Mohamed and France's Emmanuel Macron sat down to look at how they could tackle some of the most pressing issues today.

Their countries signed deals to bring about greater energy security, at a time of oil and gas shortages in Europe, and work together on sustainability and renewables.

Here, Hend Al Otaiba, the UAE's ambassador to France, tells The National what makes the nations more than just friends.

What makes France a closer ally than other countries?

"The relationship with France is not one solely based on agreements but also on a common vision for the world and an understanding of each other’s cultures," Ms Al Otaiba said.

"Our ties run deep, and France was one of our first allies back in the 1970s. This special relationship has developed for more than four decades, and now englobes deep and rich collaborations across political, economic, and cultural fields.

"We are proud to host the largest French and Francophone expatriate community in the Gulf, and to be part of a large-scale cooperation on culture and education with a country, for which these themes hold the same importance as they do for us.

"The Louvre Abu Dhabi and the International Organisation of Francophonie programmes are just two examples of that bond."

What will the UAE see in the future?

"The relationship between France and the UAE is rich and diverse, but still maintains great potential for growth and development in new, innovative fields such as sustainability, technology and health.

"Our partnership is one of bilateral collaboration, with the potential to address the greatest challenges facing our world today, from climate change to economic sustainability.

"There are no limits to our collaboration, and our areas of common impact can be expected to grow in the coming years."

How is the UAE developing these ties and how will both sides benefit?

"The ties between France and the UAE are regularly nurtured by both parties through the trusted relationship between our two embassies, but also through regular communications between our two presidents, and the work of our common institutions - from parliamentary friendship groups to operational business councils.

"Our relationship is one of synergies at all levels - from the institutional to the professional and the personal.

"The benefits of the France-UAE partnership are not limited to both countries but reverberate globally. Our collaboration on sustainable energy brings together skills and knowledge to develop technologies that will be used globally.

"Our work against extremism ensures the security of people from various countries and cultures. The combination of our respective regional leaderships allows us to harness international support on key issues."