A big step in the right direction by UAE

United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan gave French President Emmanuel Macron an assurance about the supply of fuel to France even as uncertainty grew about Russian supplies of natural gas to Europe, especially Germany.

The UAE president was on a two-day visit to France. The UAE President said, “Collaboration across energy of all kinds is critical, and the UAE is committed to supporting energy security to all people, especially France.” UAE presidential diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash said the UAE was “determined to remain a reliable partner and source of energy. We have sold our oil to the Far East for 40 years and now we are directing it toward Europe in this time of crisis.” There are to be joint projects of the UAE and France in the UAE, France and third countries. Apart from oil, the energy cooperation would include renewable and nuclear energy, and hydrogen sector.

The French government in a statement said, “In the currently uncertain energy context, this agreement will pave the way for a stable long-term framework for cooperation, opening the way for new industrial contracts.” There is then a new direction in the diplomatic approach of the UAE and France.

The two countries are willing to explore the possibilities of new joint ventures, and the relationship is not confined to energy issues though it remains a key factor. The UAE too is eager to diversify its economic pattern, including energy. The fact that the UAE is looking to non-renewable sources of energy including the nuclear is a clear shift away from the traditional oil sources. The UAE is treading a new path of development, which is all about diversifying the economic base of the UAE and of paying attention to the issues of climate change. Though many countries have come to the conference table of climate change rather half-heartedly, the UAE has been one of the few countries that has taken the climate change with determination and purpose.

It is also interesting that the UAE and Europe should have recognised the importance each had for the other, and this breaks many of traditional lines of geographical and ideological affinities. The Middle East is now getting to be directly deal with its growing ties with the European countries. Though the United States remains a dominant player in the region, the UAE has shown that it prefers to forge its own links with other parts of the world, including that of Europe.

Interestingly France too has maintained its independent status as a European power, unwilling to defer the United States as does the United Kingdom. The European connection as exemplified in the agreement with France will go a long way in the UAE exerting its own nuanced influence in the regional politics and beyond.

The Russia-Ukraine war and the sanctions against Russia have opened up opportunities like the one the UAE had forged with France, and also with Europe. As new countries with their own economic resources take their rightful place at the high table of global powers, the world is less polarized. The UAE will not fight the ideological battles and culture wars between America and Russia, but it will not toe the line of either of the rivals. With new players emerging on the world scene, the emergence of a multi-polar world is more than a proposition.

It is the reality of the present-day world. And it will be easier for many of the African countries to stand up and make their point. The UAE it seems is playing an important role in the working of the multi-polar world. President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has set the ball rolling as it were.