Cultural ties strengthen UAE-French relations, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince says

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is welcomed to the Elysee Palace in Paris by French president Emmanuel Macron. Sheikh Mohammed isShow more

The UAE’s cultural ties with France help strengthen relations at a time when extremist forces seek to sabotage them, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said on Wednesday.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces was speaking after meeting French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris on a two-day visit.

“Bilateral relations between the UAE and [France] are not limited to the political military and economic arenas. Rather, they include culture, education and scientific research,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“This provides a greater depth for our two friendly countries because culture and knowledge can help achieve rapprochement and enhance ties between people.

“Extremist and terrorist forces work to sabotage relations between people, religions, cultures and civilisations to serve a suspicious agenda that damages global security and peace.”

He said the UAE and France share close views on risks to security in the Arabian Gulf, Middle East and world.

“Of these, the danger of extremism and terrorism stands out as it strikes anywhere in the world with no place spared,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

An “decisive international position” must be taken to counter terrorist organisations, dry up their financial and intellectual resources, and designate them as the greatest threat to global security.

“That is because any hesitation in confronting this danger would mean that more innocent blood would be shed and more fear and violence would spread in the entire world,” he said.

“What gives us hope is that the world is now more aware of the dangers of terrorism and extremism, more prepared for settling the confrontation in its favour, and more knowledgeable about what it should do to counter this looming danger that targets all of us.”

The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as well as other officials.