Mohammed bin Zayed ends his visit to France with the signing of two energy agreements
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahayan has completed his first official trip since being appointed as the country's new leader following the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan. The current Emirati leader visited France with the aim of strengthening bilateral ties and increasing partnership in the field of energy.
On this point, the two countries have signed an agreement to cooperate in the sector. This Comprehensive Strategic Energy Partnership (CSEP) aims to identify joint investment projects in France, the Emirates and third countries in the hydrogen, renewable energy and nuclear sectors, reports France24.
"In the current uncertain energy context, this agreement will pave the way for a stable long-term cooperation framework, opening the way for new industrial contracts," the French government stressed.
In addition, a strategic partnership agreement has been signed between the Emirati oil company ADNOC and the French energy giant, TotalEnergies, "to cooperate in the area of energy supply".
These agreements demonstrate Abu Dhabi's interest in and commitment to closer energy ties with Europe. "The Emirates wishes to support energy security in the world in general and in France in particular," Sheikh Bin Zayed told Emirati news agency WAM.
Prior to the trip, his diplomatic adviser, Anwar Gargash, had already indicated that the UAE was looking to redirect its supplies to Europe. "We have been selling our oil to the Far East for 40 years and now we are directing it to Europe at this time of crisis," he said, according to AFP.
Several Gulf countries, such as the Emirates and Qatar, have become the main energy alternatives for European countries since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Abu Dhabi, in particular, is positioning itself as a reliable partner for Europe in the midst of the continent's serious energy crisis.
Also during Bin Zayed's visit to France, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of ADNOC, and TotalEnergies Chairman Patrick Pouyannése inaugurated the UAE-France Business Council, comprising 18 French and Emirati business leaders. According to Al Jaber and Pouyannése, the council aims to strengthen economic relations between the two countries in the fields of energy, transport and investment, WAM reports.
In addition to the energy agreements, the UAE and France have signed memorandums of understanding to cooperate in other areas, such as education, health, culture, economy and sustainability. A memorandum of understanding has also been signed between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) on partnership in lunar exploration, according to the Emirati news agency.
In addition to the agreements, Bin Zayed and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed regional and international issues. Ukraine, unsurprisingly, was high on the agenda. Both Bin Zayed and Macron expressed deep concern about the war, its impact on civilians and its global repercussions. On the other hand, both expressed their desire to re-launch nuclear negotiations with Iran in order to reach a pact that would guarantee regional security.
