Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed shares archive photos in tribute to Valery Giscard d'Estaing

Former French president visited UAE in 1980s and met Sheikh Zayed in Paris five years earlier

French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing meets Sheikh Zayed during a visit to Abu Dhabi in 1980. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter

French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing visits Abu Dhabi, where he is greeted by Sheikh Zayed, in 1980. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter

French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing speaks with Sheikh Zayed at a dinner in Elysee Palace during the UAE Founding Father's visit to Paris on July 4, 1975. On the left is French prime minister Jacques Chirac speaking with First Lady Anne-Aymone Giscard d'Estaing. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on Thursday paid tribute to Valery Giscard d'Estaing, the former French President, who died of Covid-19.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces offered his condolences to Gicard d'Estaing's family and the French people.

"He was instrumental in establishing the strong ties between UAE and France in partnership with the late Sheikh Zayed. May he rest in peace," Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter, where he shared images of the late president and the Founding Father.

President Sheikh Khalifa sent a message of condolences to President Emmanuel Macron of France.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed also sent their condolences, the state news agency Wam reported.

Gicard d'Estaing was president of France from 1974 to 1981. Sheikh Zayed travelled to France for an official visit in 1975, when he met Gicard d'Estaing at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Gicard d'Estaing made a reciprocal visit to Emirates in 1980 to meet Sheikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi.

The former French President died in his family home on Wednesday after contracting Covid-19.

He was being treated in the cardiology unit at a hospital in Tours, western France, according to Europe 1 radio, which was first to report the death.

It announced that a funeral would be held with the "strictest family privacy", according "to his wishes".