'Bridging the gap between cultures'

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday received Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, the French Minister of Culture.

The French minister conveyed to Shaikh Khalifa greetings from French President Jacques Chirac who praised the selection of Abu Dhabi to host the Louvre Museum.

The minister described the Abu Dhabi Louvre as "a magnificent project."

He added: "These collections are our pride, and we want them to be a bridge between cultures."

Welcoming the initiative, Shaikh Khalifa stressed the UAE's keenness to achieve cultural prosperity to match the country's achievements in all fields.

"This is a major achievement in Abu Dhabi's vision to become a world-class destination bridging global cultures," Shaikh Khalifa said during the meeting, which was attended by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, said the cultural district project in Saadiyat Island would see the setting up of a fine arts academy. Preparations are in full swing for establishing the academy.