The United Arab Emirates and France signed a record-breaking deal on Friday during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Dubai at the start of a Gulf tour that includes Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
The agreement includes the purchase of 80 Rafale combat aircraft by Paris, as well as the purchase of 12 Caracal helicopters by Abu Dhabi. The value of the two contracts, according to the French presidency, is 17 billion euros, including 14 billion dollars for the Rafale agreement alone.
In a press release, the French presidency estimated that it was a “great achievement for the strategic partnership between the two countries”, stressing the importance of the three French military bases in the rich Gulf country.
“This French engagement in the region, this active cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the clear positions we have taken mean that we have increased our proximity to the United Arab Emirates,” Macron said in a statement to reporters.
He continued: “While (the Emiratis) have undoubtedly raised more questions about other historical partners, I think this (agreement) strengthens France’s position,” stressing that Abu Dhabi regards France as a “strong partner”.
He added that Paris is a partner who “fulfills” its commitments and can be “reliable”.
For his part, Eric Trapier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of Rafale aircraft, described this order as “a French success which confirms the strategic relationship which unites our two countries”.
The deal was signed as Macron spoke with Abu Dhabi‘s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai, at the start of a Gulf tour that will also take him to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
This order, which will be delivered between 2027 and 2031, aims to replace 60 Mirage 2000-9 aircraft that the Emirates acquired in 1998. It comes after ten years of negotiations launched with the support of former President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Since then, the Rafale has enjoyed international success despite competition from other American and European aircraft. It now has six foreign customers, in addition to the Emirates, Qatar (36 planes), India (36), Egypt (30 new planes plus 24), Greece and Croatia.
– Emirati investments –
The United Arab Emirates ranks fifth among the most important customers of the French defense industries over the period 2011-2020, with purchase orders worth 4.7 billion euros, according to a report submitted to the Parliament on French arms exports.
But in recent years, Paris has come under fire for the use of these weapons in the conflict in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition that includes the United Arab Emirates to support the government in the face of Houthi rebels loyal to Iran. , amid accusations of violations that may constitute war crimes.
“France is ashamed of us when we arm authoritarian regimes that disregard human rights and whose wealth is based on fossil fuels,” said pro-environmental presidential candidate Yannick Gadeau, who was one of the leaders of Greenpeace.
Emmanuel Macron is accompanied by a large delegation of ministers, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire and Armies Florence Parly, as well as business leaders who, in turn, have signed a series of agreements with Emirati companies.
The Emirati sovereign fund “Mubadala” has announced commitments of eight billion euros, including six to the Ministry of the Economy, with the aim of increasing its investments in French companies.
In addition, the existing agreement between Louvre Abu Dhabi and the parent museum in Paris has been extended for ten years until 2047, with Abu Dhabi paying 165 million euros for the extension.
Macron arrived in Dubai a day after the Gulf country celebrated its 50th anniversary. Expo 2020, the global event first held in the Middle East, was one of the venues to celebrate the anniversary of the rich country’s founding.
Macron’s tour will be swift in the Gulf, lasting two days, and after Dubai, he will travel to Qatar on Friday evening, then to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
The French President will meet with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman.
– Balance force –
During the tour, the main strategic issues of the region are supposed to be addressed: the fight against terrorism and extremism, the Lebanese crisis, the elections in Libya, the Iranian nuclear program, etc.
The Elysée stressed that Macron “continues his commitment” since the start of his presidential term in 2017, which aims to “contribute to the stability” of the region extending from the “Mediterranean to the Gulf”.
One of the president’s advisers explains that France presents itself as “a balancing force by promoting dialogue with and between the various actors” in the region and as a “main and reliable partner”.
On Tuesday, the UAE president’s diplomatic advisor, Anwar Gargash, confirmed that faced with regional crises, “countries like France have a role to play”, explaining that “our positions are very close” on strategic issues.
In Jeddah, Macron will hold an “in-depth meeting” with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed ben Salman, according to the Elysee.
Macron will be one of the first Western officials to meet the Saudi Crown Prince since the diplomatic crisis following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at his country’s consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.
“Who would think for a second that we are helping Lebanon and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East if we stop talking to Saudi Arabia, the most populous and important country in the Gulf?” Macron said in response to a question about the meeting with the Saudi crown prince.
“This does not mean that I am forgetting (…), but we are working for our country and the interest of the region”, he added.
