UAE-France relationship 'has gone to another level', says ambassador

Envoy Xavier Chatel highlights UAE's growing popularity for French citizens

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 importance of President Sheikh Mohamed’s state visit to Paris cannot be overestimated, the French ambassador to the UAE said on Thursday.

Xavier Chatel, France's envoy to the Emirates since 2020, said his country was honoured the UAE leader chose France for his first official state visit, as it showed the value of the bond between the two nations.

“For His Highness to decide that France would be his first state visit is something we cannot underestimate,” said Mr Chatel, speaking at an event to discuss the importance of President Sheikh Mohamed’s first state visit.

“The fact that the trust between the countries was strong enough, that France would be chosen for his first state visit as president is hugely appreciated by French authorities.”

Sheikh Mohamed concluded his successful inaugural state visit to Paris on Tuesday, during which he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and witnessed the signing of two important energy deals.

The first was a comprehensive renewable energy strategy between the UAE and France, while the second was a partnership agreement between Adnoc and TotalEnergies.

Oil exploration was one of the key topics of discussion during the state visit, said Mr Chatel.

“We signed a comprehensive strategic energy partnership which will allow us to develop investment in the field of renewables,” he said.

“The relationship has gone to another level.”

The UAE has become an increasingly popular destination for French citizens, said Mr Chatel.

“The French population here is growing steadily,” he said. "Between 2017 and 2021 it grew by 35 per cent.

“It’s a sizeable increase for what was already one of the largest French communities abroad.”

About 30,000 French people currently live in the UAE and more than 600 French companies operate in the Emirates.

Promoting peace

The ambassador praised the UAE for normalising relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.

“The Abraham Accords is something that we wholeheartedly support,” he said.

“It’s a great development that fosters regional peace and stability. Hopefully, we will see more countries signing up.

“France has a record of being proactive in trying to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians and we will remain committed to peace in the region.”

The UAE and Israel signed the historic Abraham Accords in 2020 at a ceremony in the White House.

The agreement was the first between an Arab country and Israel in more than a quarter of a century.

Israel said it would suspend its plans to annex occupied Palestinian territories, as part of the agreement.