Abu Dhabi/Paris (WAM) President Nicolas Sarkozy of France will begin a two-day state visit to UAE on Monday.
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan will review with his French counterpart bilateral ties and areas of mutual cooperation. The two leaders will also exchange views on a number of issues of mutual importance for the two countries.
Sarkozy's chief diplomatic advisor Jean-David Levitte has stressed the importance of the strategic partnership between UAE and France and said that the unique relations present a living model that meticulously integrate the preservation of traditions with modernity.
Announcing the visit by the French President to UAE at a press conference on Friday in Paris, Levitte said that Sarkozy will hold talks with Shaikh Khalifa, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
"The talks will centre on a number of important issues, including the future of bilateral relations, regional issues such as the Middle East peace process, the future of Afghanistan and Somalia and the Iranian nuclear dossier," he said. He added that Sarkozy attaches great importance to his visit to the UAE, given its special relations with France.
"The UAE is a model for a country that pursues modernism, yet, it maintains its heritage and traditions. If any one of you visited Abu Dhabi during the early days of independence, he will find a different city now. Additionally, the leadership of the UAE has a wise vision for the long term development of the country in all fields with unprecedented growth rates."
Levitte noted that France, which did not enjoy any historical presence in the UAE, is now a major strategic partner of that country.
He said relations between the two countries extend across four strategic sectors; defence, cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy, culture and education.
Levitte also praised UAE's "wise strategy" to preserve its energy resources by setting up atomic reactors despite boasting the world's fifth largest energy reserves.
