President Sheikh Mohamed followed in his father's footsteps by embarking on his first state visit to France this week.
Sheikh Mohamed shared memories of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed's first presidential tour of France in 1975, with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron during his landmark visit.
Footage of warm conversation between the leaders was shared on Twitter on Thursday by Zaki Nusseibeh, the cultural adviser to the UAE President.
He said it underpinned the "special status of France as a strategic ally of the UAE".
Sheikh Mohamed is seen holding a phone displaying a picture of Sheikh Zayed's 1975 meeting with the French president at the time, Valery Giscard d’Estaing, in which both himself and Mr Nusseibeh are present.
Sheikh Mohamed, who was only 14 at the time, is smartly dressed in a suit, looking on as his father greets the French president during a key meeting in the formative years of the Emirates.
Long-standing diplomat Mr Nusseibeh is positioned on the right of the picture.
"That's my dad ... and that's Zaki, and that's me," Sheikh Mohamed says, as the camera zooms in on a young, fresh-faced Sheikh Mohamed.
"Come on," Mr Macron is heard to remark during the light-hearted talk, as his wife Brigitte tells Sheikh Mohamed "he hasn't changed".
Sheikh Mohamed thanks Ms Macron for her compliment.
Mr Nusseibeh highlights during the chat how Sheikh Mohamed's trip to Paris marked his first state visit, as that engagement 47 years ago did for Sheikh Zayed.
Mr Macron tells the diplomat he was present for both, as Mr Nusseibeh hails the latest visit as a "great, historic moment for us".
The touching conversation serves to highlight the long-standing ties between France and UAE, as well as the strong friendship between Mr Macron and Sheikh Mohamed.
Sheikh Mohamed concluded his state visit to Paris on Tuesday, thanking Mr Macron as they issued a joint statement calling for action on pressing global issues.
The head of state departed Orly Airport on Tuesday afternoon after an engagement at the Arc de Triomphe and meetings with French leaders.
A series of talks and the signing of deals brought to an end a successful inaugural state visit that made headlines at home and abroad.
On the final day of his state visit, Sheikh Mohamed toured several Paris landmarks, laying a wreath at the Arc de Triomphe's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
At Matignon, the prime minister's residence, Sheikh Mohamed met French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne to discuss food security, investment and the economy, among other topics.
During a banquet held on Monday to honour Sheikh Mohamed's visit, Mr Macron spoke of the significance of an enduring partnership based on "loyalty and reliability" and hailed Sheikh Mohamed's key role in addressing international challenges.
"Through your new presidential duties, you will continue your efforts to make the UAE a strong, stable, diversified and growing economy and an influential member of the international arena in addressing global and regional challenges," he said.
President Sheikh Mohamed visits Paris - in pictures
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The President, Sheikh Mohamed, leaves France after his official state visit. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed stands for the national anthem. Catherine Colonna, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is also pictured. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed stands for the national anthems. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to Ms Colonna. Photo: Presidential Court -
Members of the French honour guard play the national anthem before Sheikh Mohamed's departure. Photo: Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed speaks to Emirati students and doctors studying in France. Seen with Shamma bint Suhail Al Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Youth, second right, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, fourth right. Photo: Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed with Emirati students and doctors, along with Shamma bint Suhail Al Al Mazrouei, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, fourth from left. Photo: Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed meets students and doctors. Photo: Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed greets Emirati students and doctors who are studying in France. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed, with Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed, speaks to Catherine Colonna. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed arrives at Matignon Hotel in Paris to meet Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed arrives at the Matignon to meet Ms Borne. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed leaves Matignon hotel. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
President Sheikh Mohamed signs a guest book during a military ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed stands at attention as the national anthems of the UAE and France are played at the Arc de Triomphe. Photo: Presidential Court -
The UAE President greets a members of the Unknown Soldier’s Torch Committee. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Photo: Presidential Court -
The UAE President meets Yael Braun-Pivet, sixth from right, President of the French National Assembly, in Paris. The senior UAE officials include Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed with Ms Braun-Pivet at the National Assembly Presidency Palace. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed is received by Ms Braun-Pivet during his state visit to France. Photo: Presidential Court -
The UAE President gives a speech during a dinner hosted in his honour by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Versailles Grand Trianon in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed is in France on his first overseas trip as UAE President. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed discussed the important role that France has undertaken in the Middle East and expressed his interest in continuing to work together to promote peace, stability and security across the region. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed, Mr Macron and France's first lady Brigitte Macron at the Versailles Grand Trianon. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed with French Senate President Gerard Larcher in Paris. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The UAE President met Mr Larcher at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court -
Members of the UAE delegation attend the meeting at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, during the meeting at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed's decision to visit France on his first trip overseas as UAE head of state is considered highly significant and a recognition of the strength of ties between the two countries. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed and a delegation of ministers and senior officials began the day with a visit to the historic Les Invalides complex, home to the military museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The UAE President then travelled a short distance to Luxembourg Palace. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Mr Larcher said he was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the Cop28 climate change conference, which will be hosted at Expo City Dubai in November 2023, and 'a lot about the energy issue, which is very important'. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed arrives at Luxembourg Palace in Paris. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron watch as Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, and France's Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher sign a comprehensive strategic energy partnership between the two countries. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed, Mr Macron, Dr Al Jaber, Ms Pannier-Runacher and France's Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire after the signing ceremony in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed holds talks with Mr Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed is welcomed to Elysee Palace by Mr Macron. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed with Mr Macron and France's first lady Brigitte Macron after the UAE President's arrival at Elysee Palace in the French capital. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The UAE leader warmly embraced Mr Macron on his arrival in Paris, describing him as a friend and his country as one of the Emirates' closest allies. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
During a private lunch, the two leaders reviewed new agreements that expand decades of partnership and collaboration between the UAE and France. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed spoke about the common interest that the UAE and France share in confronting climate change. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A French guard of honour awaits the arrival of Sheikh Mohamed to Elysee Palace. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The UAE President attends an official reception hosted by Sebastien Lecornu, France's Minister of Armed Forces, at the military museum in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed is accompanied by Mr Le Cornu as he inspects a guard of honour and meets officials at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court -
The UAE President visited the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte within the Dome des Invalides at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed was set to meet top French officials during his two-day visit, including Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and President of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Mr Le Cornu at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Le Cornu stand at attention as the two countries' anthems are played. Photo: Presidential Court -
The UAE President's motorcade arrives at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court -
Emirati flags adorned the streets around Elysee and Luxembourg palaces. Photo: Presidential Court
