UAE President signs agreement on energy with France

Last updated on July 19th, 2022 at 11:58 am

The newly elected president of the Emirati nation is travelling abroad for the first time. Emmanuel Macron received Mohamed Bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, to the Élysée on Monday, July 18. They spoke about a variety of topics, but mostly about fuel supplies in light of the growing price of oil.

According to the Ministry of Energy Transition, this resulted in the signing of a global strategic partnership agreement on energy cooperation.

According to the statement, this cooperation aims to identify cooperative investment projects in the domains of hydrogen, renewable energies, or nuclear energy in France, the United Arab Emirates, or elsewhere in the world.

In traditional attire, “MBZ” had entered the Élysée courtyard at noon and walked up the red carpet before being warmly welcomed by his French counterpart and Brigitte Macron, the French president’s wife.

As is customary, Emmanuel Macron will award the Grand Cross of the National Order of the Legion of Honor to the President of the Emirati nation and give him a map of the peninsula from the year 1535 as a gift. Arab and Gulf

Since taking over for his deceased half-brother in May as president of the Emirates, a wealthy oil nation in the Gulf that is best known for Abu Dhabi and Dubai, “MBZ” made his first journey outside to Paris.

The topic of discussion centres on hydrocarbons.

Anwar Gargash, the foreign assistant to the president of the Emirati, said that this choice “highlights the historical links between the two countries but also the possibility for additional cooperation” between them.

Emirati exports to France, which are dominated by hydrocarbons, hit a record high of 1.5 billion euros in 2019, with a significant portion of that amount going to refined petroleum products. However, the Emirates do not currently provide France with diesel.

According to the Elysee, the two presidents’ discussions would also centre on their “joint efforts” to improve “stability and security” in the Middle East, particularly with regard to the Iranian nuclear issue.

Relations between France and the United Arab Emirates have improved significantly in recent years, reaching a peak in December when a record deal for 80 Rafale fighter jets worth 14 billion euros was signed. In Abu Dhabi, there is a military base for France.

“MBZ” will stop at the Senate, National Assembly, and Matignon during his state visit.