Paris: General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Thursday met Francois Hollande, President of France, in Paris.
Shaikh Mohammad conveyed to Hollande the greetings of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his wishes for more progress and prosperity for France and its people.
During the meeting held at the Elysee Palace, Shaikh Mohammad and Hollande discussed recent developments in the region, as well as strategic relations between UAE and France and ways to bolster them.
They both emphasised the importance of exchanging expertise in all fields, and benefitting from investment opportunities available in both countries.
Shaikh Mohammad and Hollande stressed the importance of continuous coordination and communication on matters pertaining to regional and international issues, as well as preparations regarding the upcoming Geneva 2 conference.
Shaikh Mohammad said that the meeting provides an opportunity to exchange views on a number of issues of mutual concern, coordinate on issues and developments in the region, as well as working together with brotherly countries to ensure security and stability in the region.
For his part, Hollande welcomed Shaikh Mohammad’s visit. He pointed out the positive results that were achieved in his meeting with Shaikh Khalifa in the UAE in January 2013, which served to further strengthen relations between the two countries, as well as coordinating on matters pertaining to security and stability in the region.
Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, and Laurent Fabius, French Foreign Minister, were present.
Shaikh Mohammad also met with Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s Minister of Defence.
They spoke about bilateral relations and ways to enhance them for benefit of both countries and their peoples. They discussed cooperative relations between the UAE and France, especially in the field of defence and military, and developing joint cooperation in the exchange of expertise.
