French military base to protect oil and gas routes

Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi
The UAE values the strategic and political cooperation with France as a cornerstone and a top priority of its foreign policy because it cements stability and development in the Gulf, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said on Monday.

Shaikh Abdullah said the UAE and France will sign a memorandum of understanding that provides for appointing Emirati diplomats in the French missions in the countries where the UAE has no diplomatic missions.

Welcoming the state visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Shaikh Abdullah reiterated the UAE's interest in widening the avenues of joint cooperation and investment between both nations.

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