Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has received French Prime Minister Francois Fillon who is on a current visit to the UAE.
The two sides discussed regional and international security and underlined the significance of bolstering regional stability and security and the promotion of peaceful coexistence and understanding both regionally and internationally to spread peace all over the world.
Welcoming Fillon, Sheikh Mohammed expressed satisfaction at the progress of the UAE-French bilateral relations in various areas.
He affirmed the UAE leadership's interest in promoting these "historical and strategic relations." Sheikh Mohammed expressed hopes that the French Prime Minister's current visit would add the hoped-for momentum to promote cooperation between the private and public sectors of both countries.
For his part, Fillon termed the UAE-French relations as "long standing, strategic and historical". He said his UAE visit aims to expand cooperation with the UAE in trade, culture, tourism, energy and defence. "The French-UAE relations are based on mutual respect and concord on regional and international issues," Fillion added.
He expressed gladness at visiting the UAE leading a high level delegation. He thanked Sheikh Mohammed for his interest in ensuring the success of the current visit.
He thanked the UAE for that the generous treatment of over 10000 French expatriates in the UAE reflect the strong friendly relations the leaderships and peoples of both countries maintain.
Present at the meeting at Z'abeel Palace were H.H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, H.H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, Mohammed Al Gergawi, Cabinet Affairs Minister, Mohammed Dhaen Al Hamili, Energy Minister and head of the honorary mission accompanying the French Prime Minister, Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State, Mohammed Mer Abdullah Al Rayesi, UAE Ambassador to France, Alain Azouaou, French Ambassador to the UAE and other senior officials.
Later, Sheikh Mohammed hosted a lunch banquet in honor of the French Prime Minister and members of the delegation. Sheikhs and senior officials attended the banquet.