UAE President begins first state visit to France

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been welcomed at a formal reception ceremony in Paris to mark the official start of his inaugural state visit to France.

Mohamed Bin Zayed attends an official reception at the Military Museum. WAM

His Highness was received at the Army Museum in Les Invalides by Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu, accompanied by members of the French Republican Guard.

Sébastien Lecornu greets Mohamed Bin Zayed  at the Military Museum in Paris. WAM

The national anthems of France and the UAE were performed by a military band, and His Highness and Minister Lecornu inspected the Guard of Honour. His Highness then paid a visit to the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte situated within the Dôme des Invalides.

French Senate President Gerard Larcher (L) welcomes Mohamed Bin Zayed in Paris. AFP

Following the reception, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed will travel to the Elysée Palace, the official residence of the President of the French Republic, to meet President Emmanuel Macron for a private lunch.

Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan attends an official reception at the Military Museum. WAM

During this meeting, the two leaders will explore opportunities for bilateral collaboration to address substantial challenges facing our world today, including those in the areas of climate change, energy, and economic sustainability.

French mounted Republican Guards escort the motorcade of Mohamed Bin Zayed. AFP

In the evening, President Macron will receive His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for a state dinner at the Grand Trianon, situated within the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.

His Highness will meet several French officials during his two-day visit, including Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne; President of the Senate Gérard Larcher; and President of the National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed greets Sébastien Le Cornu during an official reception. WAM

The UAE has maintained and strengthened its relationship with France through decades of action-driven, bilateral partnerships across climate change, sustainable technology, space exploration, cultural exchange, traditional energy, and regional security.

During the visit, His Highness will be accompanied by a delegation comprising H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court; Sheikh Khalifa Bin Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Executive Director of Martyrs' Families' Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; Dr Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Noura Bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth; Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; Shamma Bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; Mohammed Habroush Al Suwaidi, Special Adviser to UAE President; Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council; Khaldoun Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, Member of the Executive Council; Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Adviser at the Presidential Court; and Hend Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to France.

WAM