As Middle Eastern conflicts continue to pose challenges to the global order, it is critical to remember the alliances working to restore stability. Our notable relationships with European countries are integral to these alliances fighting the forces of extremism. The bilateral alliance with France, which extends beyond military cooperation to include cultural dialogue and trade, occupies a special position for the country. This relationship is based on shared values and mutual respect imbued with a common vision for the future.
In Abu Dhabi, the fruits of this alliance are visible at Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, which was established in 2006 with a mandate to be an education bridge between civilisations that would foster dialogue and exchange of knowledge. The French-Emirati cultural alliance is also clear in the creation of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
As former French president Jacques Chirac said of the museum: “By choosing the Louvre, the emirate of Abu Dhabi not only sealed a partnership with the world’s most visited and well-known museum, but selected one which, from its very inception, had a vocation to reach out to the world, to the essence of mankind, through the contemplation of works of art.”
These cultural partnerships are now being extended to combat regional challenges such as the destruction of priceless world heritage in countries such as Syria and Iraq. President Francois Hollande visited Abu Dhabi this weekend to solidify this direction of travel in the UAE-France relationship. After attending National Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi, the French president took part in the Safeguarding Cultural Heritage Conference. The event culminated with the Abu Dhabi Declaration in which France and the UAE will work to preserve world heritage in cooperation with Unesco. The $100 million (Dh36.7m) initiative will be part of the front line in safeguarding culture affected by conflict around the world.
Speaking with Aletihad newspaper, the Arabic-language sister paper of The National, Mr Hollande said of the declaration that: “This work is part of the battle led by France and the UAE against obscurantism, for openness and culture. It is also the reason for the creation of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. This great French-Emirati project that will yield the opening next year of the world’s first international museum in the Arab world.”
France remains one of our most important allies and the alliance between Paris and Abu Dhabi is proving to be a critical counterweight to the forces of chaos that are sweeping the region and the world. Through cultural and education relationship, we embody the constructive dialogue between civilisations through our continued and deep friendship with France.
