UAE Ambassador Fahad Saeed Al Raqbani presented his credentials to French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Wednesday.
Mr Al Raqbani conveyed the greetings of President Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court to Mr Macron, reported state news agency Wam.
He passed along their wish to see further development and prosperity for the government and people of France.
Mr Macron shared similar wishes for the prosperity and growth of the UAE. He also conveyed his hope that the ambassador enjoys success in enhancing relations between the nations, saying his country was ready to provide all possible support.
Mr Al Raqbani expressed his pride in representing the UAE and his eagerness to enhance relations across various fields.
Discussions also took place about boosting the relationship between the countries, to the benefit of both populations.
Trade between the UAE and France reached €7 billion ($7.6 billion) last year, according to the French Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Franck Riester, speaking to The National earlier this year.
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Russia v Scotland, Thursday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
More on Quran memorisation:
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
