The key facts

  • Sheikh Mohamed and Macron toured facilities of Tawazun Industrial Park: Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments, EPI, Halcon and Powertech (Edge group)
  • Exchange of a framework agreement on strategic defense partnership between the ministers of the two countries
  • Preliminary agreements signed in energy, AI and advanced technologies, including three deals with the French startup AMI Labs

Visit to the defense park

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, October 20, visited companies of the UAE's largest defense conglomerate as part of the French leader's official visit to the Gulf countries. The leaders toured advanced manufacturing facilities at Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi. Among the companies were Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments, EPI, Halcon and Powertech, high-tech structures within the Edge group. The leaders were briefed on the park's role in supporting local, regional and international companies.

Exchange of the framework agreement

Sheikh Mohamed and Macron attended the exchange of a framework document on strategic defense partnership between the UAE and France. The document was exchanged by UAE Minister of Defense Affairs Mohammed Al-Mazrouei and French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin. Sheikh Mohamed was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, Adviser to the UAE President, as well as a number of ministers and senior officials.

Gulf tour itinerary

Later, Sheikh Mohamed bid farewell to Macron, who concluded the UAE leg of his visit. The regional tour began in Kuwait on Monday. After the UAE, the French leader arrived in Bahrain and also plans to visit Qatar.

Energy and technology agreements

As part of the official visit, the UAE and France signed agreements in energy, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. The preliminary agreements were signed in the presence of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed and Macron in the UAE capital. According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, three deals focused on AI and advanced technologies were concluded with the French startup AMI Labs to strengthen research and technological cooperation and explore new applications in a number of fields. A UAE-France business dialogue also took place with the participation of Sheikh Khaled and Macron.

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French President Emmanuel Macron with Faisal Al Bannai, adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed for strategic research and advanced technology affairs, at Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi. UAE Presidential Court UAE Presidential Court
French President Emmanuel Macron with Faisal Al Bannai, adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed for strategic research and advanced technology affairs, at Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi. UAE Presidential Court UAE Presidential Court
Show caption: French President Emmanuel Macron with Faisal Al Bannai, advi…
President Sheikh Mohamed and Emmanuel Macron, President of France, during an official visit reception in Abu Dhabi. UAE Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed and Emmanuel Macron, President of France, during an official visit reception in Abu Dhabi. UAE Presidential Court
Show caption: President Sheikh Mohamed and Emmanuel Macron, President of F…
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron during the reception. UAE Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron during the reception. UAE Presidential Court
Show caption: Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron during the reception. UAE Presi…
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron arrive for the reception. UAE Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron arrive for the reception. UAE Presidential Court
Show caption: Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron arrive for the reception. UAE P…
Sheikh Mohamed receives Mr Macron during the reception. UAE Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed receives Mr Macron during the reception. UAE Presidential Court
Show caption: Sheikh Mohamed receives Mr Macron during the reception. UAE …
Mr Macron signs the guest book during the reception. UAE Presidential Court
Mr Macron signs the guest book during the reception. UAE Presidential Court
Show caption: Mr Macron signs the guest book during the reception. UAE Pre…
Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, bid farewell to Mr Macron. UAE Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, bid farewell to Mr Macron. UAE Presidential Court
Show caption: Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince o…
Sheikh Mohamed receives Mr Macron on arrival. UAE Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed receives Mr Macron on arrival. UAE Presidential Court
Show caption: Sheikh Mohamed receives Mr Macron on arrival. UAE Presidenti…
An official reception ceremony was held for Mr Macron, who is in the UAE on an official visit as part of his tour of the Gulf. UAE Presidential Court
An official reception ceremony was held for Mr Macron, who is in the UAE on an official visit as part of his tour of the Gulf. UAE Presidential Court
Show caption: An official reception ceremony was held for Mr Macron, who i…
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron inspect a UAE honour guard. UAE Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron inspect a UAE honour guard. UAE Presidential Court
Show caption: Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron inspect a UAE honour guard. UAE…
A UAE military band strikes up to welcome Mr Macron to Abu Dhabi. UAE Presidential Court
A UAE military band strikes up to welcome Mr Macron to Abu Dhabi. UAE Presidential Court
Show caption: A UAE military band strikes up to welcome Mr Macron to Abu D…
The honour guard in place as part of the welcoming ceremony for the French President, who arrived from Kuwait. UAE Presidential Court
The honour guard in place as part of the welcoming ceremony for the French President, who arrived from Kuwait. UAE Presidential Court
Show caption: The honour guard in place as part of the welcoming ceremony …
Sheikh Khaled and Mr Macron attend UAE-France Business Dialogue. Abu Dhabi Media Office
Sheikh Khaled and Mr Macron attend UAE-France Business Dialogue. Abu Dhabi Media Office
Show caption: Sheikh Khaled and Mr Macron attend UAE-France Business Dialo…
The UAE-France Business Dialogue in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Media Office
The UAE-France Business Dialogue in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Media Office
Show caption: The UAE-France Business Dialogue in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Med…
Sheikh Meshal, Emir of Kuwait, welcomes Mr Macron at Kuwait International Airport. Reuters
Sheikh Meshal, Emir of Kuwait, welcomes Mr Macron at Kuwait International Airport. Reuters
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The leaders meet in Kuwait, as Mr Macron tours the Gulf. Reuters
The leaders meet in Kuwait, as Mr Macron tours the Gulf. Reuters
Show caption: The leaders meet in Kuwait, as Mr Macron tours the Gulf. Reu…
The French leader arrived in Kuwait as part of a Gulf tour. Reuters
The French leader arrived in Kuwait as part of a Gulf tour. Reuters
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A welcoming ceremony for Mr Macron. Reuters
A welcoming ceremony for Mr Macron. Reuters
Show caption: A welcoming ceremony for Mr Macron. Reuters
Discussions were expected to focus on securing and diversifying our energy supplies. Reuters
Discussions were expected to focus on securing and diversifying our energy supplies. Reuters
Show caption: Discussions were expected to focus on securing and diversify…
Sheikh Meshal and Mr Macron witness the signing of an agreement at Bayan Palace, in Kuwait City. Reuters
Sheikh Meshal and Mr Macron witness the signing of an agreement at Bayan Palace, in Kuwait City. Reuters
Show caption: Sheikh Meshal and Mr Macron witness the signing of an agreem…