The close ties that the UAE and France have shared for decades was on full display on Wednesday when President Emmanuel Macron warmly greeted Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on his arrival at Fontainebleau. It is an old friendship that over the years has been beneficial to the people of both countries. About 30,000 French people live in the UAE and more than 600 French companies operate in the Emirates. Sheikh Mohamed, also Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Mr Macron, met to discuss ways to strengthen this bilateral relationship.
The list of common interests between the French and Emirati people is a long one and the areas of strategic co-operation are many including related to economic and security matters. Already, there have been joint efforts to co-operate in advanced sciences, education, space, coding, research and development, and cultural and creative industries.
Most recently, the UAE facilitated the evacuation of French citizens from Kabul after the Afghan capital fell to the Taliban. Mr Macron has voiced his thanks and appreciation for this support.
Nearly three years ago, in 2018, at an official summit in Paris hosted by Mr Macron, Sheikh Mohamed spoke about both the UAE and France supporting tolerance and co-existence and working for stability, peace and development in the Middle East and the world.
Just last month Mr Macron was in Iraq for the Baghdad Conference for Co-operation and Partnership, where the UAE delegation was led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. The summit, with nine regional countries participating, aimed to increase regional co-operation and reduce tension. France was the only leader from a major Western power in attendance. It demonstrated to the world how under Mr Macron's presidency, France has stepped up its engagement with the Middle East.
In Lebanon, Mr Macron in the past year has repeatedly called for Cabinet formation and government reform. The keen interest to maintain stability in the wider region is apparent, and shared ground for the UAE and France. Much like the UAE, France also has an interest in furthering bilateral co-operation with Africa.
The progress of these strong ties is evident across sectors in the UAE, whether seen at Louvre Abu Dhabi or the steps made towards adopting new sources of energy. In fact, French residents in the UAE tend to work as entrepreneurs, or in the oil and gas or strategic sectors.
France also has a massive investment in hydrogen and plans to develop French hydrogen projects in the UAE are in the works.
There have been major achievements in the past decade, besides the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and the signing of the 2009 Joint Defence Agreement. In June, the two countries signed a 10-year bilateral plan, the UAE-France strategic partnership (2020-2030).
The UAE's Ambassador to France, Hend Al Otaiba, last week met Mr Macron's advisor for the Middle East and North Africa, Patrick Durel. Ms Al Otaiba said: "We discussed the strategic relationship between the UAE and France as well as various topics of common interest."
The strategic progress is set to further blossom as the two countries move beyond tackling the pandemic and welcome a degree of normality, both veering towards adoption of a green or a vaccine pass in the absolute prioritisation of public safety. As the leaders of the countries meet, it can be assumed that common strategic interests will be further developed and a friendship strengthened.
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm Majestic Thunder
7.05pm Commanding
7.40pm Mark Of Approval
8.15pm Mulfit
8.50pm Gronkowski
9.25pm Walking Thunder
10pm Midnight Sands
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PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Pathaan
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
