Ahmed Mourad (Cairo)
Experts and researchers in international relations have stressed the importance of the continuous and escalating bilateral cooperation between the UAE and France in various fields, describing the Emirati-French relations as a “strategic partnership for the future.” The experts considered the current political, economic, diplomatic and military alliance between the UAE and France to be one of the most successful, continuous and growing international relations, in light of the presence of many convergent positions on many regional and international files, as well as the mutual interests between the two sides. Dr. Nourhan Al-Sheikh, an expert in international relations and professor of political science at the American University in Cairo, stressed in statements to Al-Ittihad the importance and comprehensiveness of the Emirati-French relations, describing it as “one of the most successful diplomatic, political and economic relations” on the international scene during the past twenty years. Which is reflected in the permanent coordination, continuous contacts, and mutual visits between senior leaders in the two countries. The Emirati-French relations witnessed a major boom during the era of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, as aspects of cooperation between the two countries expanded in various political, economic, cultural and military fields. His Highness made some important visits to France, most notably the visit that took place In July of the year 2006, and the visit that took place in July 2007, these visits gave a strong impetus to the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Over the past two decades, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and successive French leaders, contacts and consultations between the UAE and France continued at the highest levels, which reflects the interest that the UAE and France attach to developing bilateral relations.
Dr. Nourhan Al-Sheikh indicated that the UAE enjoys great French interest by virtue of being a pivotal country in the Middle East, and its pivotal role and active diplomatic activity have increased significantly in recent years, which makes the French side interested in strengthening strategic partnership relations with the UAE to exchange common interests and build On the convergent positions between the two countries on regional and international issues and events.
Perhaps the most prominent feature of the Emirati-French relations is the presence of convergent positions and a great congruence of views on many issues and files, including the Lebanese file, where the UAE and France are keen to ensure national sovereignty and the unity of Lebanese territories, and the same is said on the Palestinian file, as they work The two states will push the peace movement between Palestinians and Israelis.
strategic alliance
Dr. Noha Bakr, an expert in international relations and a professor of political science at the American University in Cairo, pointed out, in statements to Al-Ittihad, to the convergent and compatible positions that brought together Abu Dhabi and Paris regarding many regional and international files and issues, especially in the two files of combating terrorism and strengthening international peace and security. In addition to the existing strategic partnership between the two countries in various fields.
Fourteen years ago, specifically in 2007, the strategic dialogue rounds were launched between the UAE and France, which is an annual dialogue and discussion on ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, identify existing and future opportunities and partnerships, and ensure continuity of cooperation in existing projects and initiatives, such as economy, trade, and investment, education and culture, oil and gas, nuclear and renewable energy, health, space and security.
As part of the strategic dialogue rounds between the UAE and France, the two countries adopted on June 3, 2020, a new roadmap for their strategic partnership for the next ten years (2020-2030), which seeks the continuity of joint achievements.
Dr. Noha Bakr confirmed that the UAE and France are very interested in strengthening the strategic partnership to serve the future directions of both parties, which makes the Emirati-French relations among the most successful and developed international relations, especially that Abu Dhabi and Paris are keen to coordinate their positions on many issues raised on the regional arena. and international.
success bridge
The Algerian researcher and analyst residing in Paris, Taoufik Koueider, an expert in French affairs, confirmed through a telephone conversation with the “Union” France’s interest in developing its relations with the UAE as a pivotal country with political, diplomatic and economic weight in the Middle East.
It is worth noting here the statements of the former French Foreign Minister, Lorient Fabius, on the relations between the UAE and France, in which he described the UAE as “a bridge to France’s strategic success in the Gulf region.”
The UAE was the first stop in French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the Middle East following his election as French President in 2017.
This comes at a time when the UAE hosts the largest French expatriate community in the Gulf region, with more than 25,000 French working and living on UAE soil, and in December 2018, the UAE became a participating member of the International Organization of Francophonie.
The Algerian analyst residing in Paris considered the joint investments between the Emirates and France as one of the most important factors that contributed to the development of Emirati-French relations.
The UAE is ranked second among France’s commercial markets in the Arabian Gulf region, and the UAE is one of France’s most important economic partners in the Middle East.
The UAE alone represents 45% of the foreign direct investments in the Middle East countries in France, and the UAE is the second largest investor from the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in France.
The volume of bilateral trade exchanges in 2019 amounted to about 4.8 billion euros, and the value of French exports to the UAE amounted to 3.3 billion euros.
The UAE also hosts more than 600 branches of French companies, and Total has been at the forefront of the French companies in the UAE since the beginnings of the Emirati-French relations. In 2018, Total’s production in Abu Dhabi reached 290,000 barrels per day, and it is a partner in the “Shams” project. Which represents the largest concentrated solar power plant in the world, and was opened in 2013.
In the field of peaceful nuclear energy, in September 2018, the UAE and France signed a cooperation agreement between the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation in the UAE and the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Security in France, and a cooperation agreement between the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation in the UAE and the French Agency for Renewable and Nuclear Energy.
cultural partnership
Yousra Al-Sharqawi, a researcher specializing in European affairs and international relations, indicated in statements to Al-Ittihad that aspects of cultural and educational cooperation between the UAE and France are growing, stressing the two countries’ desire to enhance cultural and educational cooperation and exchange experiences in this important sector.
In November 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed, during his visit to the UAE, that France and the UAE are partners in promoting the spirit of tolerance and equality between peoples, and they work together to promote the concept of cultural and human rapprochement between different civilizations.
The researcher specializing in European affairs stressed the importance of the UAE’s keenness that its relations with Europe in general and France in particular be diverse and comprehensive, and not limited to the political or economic aspects. There is a similar interest in developing its cultural relations with Europe, and the European side respects and appreciates this Emirati concern, He welcomes the cultural cooperation with the Emirates, as we saw from the French side at the opening of the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first international museum in the Arab world and the largest French cultural achievement abroad, as well as being a symbol of tolerance and openness to the world. The French President, Macron, considered it a cosmic message against all forms of obscurantism.
During his participation in the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his admiration for the manifestations of human civilization and the development witnessed by the UAE in various fields and fields, saying: “I was very impressed with Dubai as a city of love, tolerance, rapprochement and openness. Its buildings, infrastructure, and stunning views add joy, stability and happiness to its residents and visitors.”
The cultural cooperation between the UAE and France has resulted in many achievements, most notably the establishment of the Global Fund for the Protection of Heritage Endangered in Conflict in 2016, the opening of the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Hall at the Louvre Museum in Paris, and the establishment of a French-language radio station in the UAE that broadcasts programs 3 times a week.
The UAE contributed 10 million euros to the restoration of the Imperial Theater in the historic Palace of Fontebleau near Paris, and the theater was named after His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State.
Educational Collaboration Achievements
Yusra Al-Sharqawi, a researcher specializing in European affairs, confirmed that the United Arab Emirates has made great strides in order to become a regional center for advanced and modern education in the Middle East, by benefiting from the development of its relations with European countries, especially its distinguished relations with France. To the establishment of branches of major European and French universities and educational institutes in the Emirates, and these educational edifices made the Emirates an attractive destination for students of distinguished education from Arab countries or from other countries outside the Arab world.
The UAE-French cooperation has appeared strongly in recent years in the education sector, and the Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi, which was established in 2006, is at the top of the list of achievements of the UAE-French cooperation in the education sector. The establishment of this university came within the framework of the UAE’s strategy to invest in the culture and knowledge economy and education.
The Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi includes faculties of law, economics, humanities and social sciences, as well as other activities related to conducting research in mathematics, physics and artificial intelligence.
In addition to this, there are other important entities for French education in the Emirates, such as: the European Institute of Business Administration “INSEAD”, the 42nd School for Software Development “école 42”, the Higher School of Fashion Arts and Technologies “ESMOD” in Dubai, and the University of Paris II in the Free Zone in Dubai. Dubai.
As of the 2019-2020 school year, the UAE decision to reintroduce French language instruction in Emirati public schools has provided the opportunity to learn French for more than 8,000 Emirati students.
With regard to the field of artificial intelligence, the UAE and France resolved to make artificial intelligence one of the most important axes of strategic cooperation between the two countries, and in this context, the two sides signed in February 2019 a declaration of intent known as the “Vision to the Digital Twenty-first Century.” The French side welcomed the UAE’s decision to open A digital training center in cooperation with the world-famous French school “Ecole 42 for Software Development” “Ecole 42”.
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