France and the UAE Renew Defense Cooperation Agreement
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu met with UAE Minister of State for Defense Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi in Paris on the 19th, and the two sides renewed their bilateral defense cooperation agreement.
According to a statement released by the French Ministry of Defense on the same day, the renewal of the bilateral defense cooperation agreement will further improve the legal framework for the deployment of French forces in the UAE, ensuring the continued advancement of long-term defense cooperation between the two sides. Both parties also reiterated their firm support for freedom of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement emphasized that France's military deployment in the region maintains a "strict defensive posture," and France will continue to support the UAE as a "reliable and trustworthy strategic partner."
France and the UAE signed a defense agreement in 1995, which was further deepened in 2009 with the establishment of a joint military base in the UAE. (Reporter: Zhu Xuesong, CCTV)
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu met with UAE State Minister for Defense Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi in Paris on October 19, 2023, to renew their bilateral defense cooperation agreement. This renewal aims to enhance the legal framework for French military deployment in the UAE and reaffirms both nations' commitment to freedom of navigation, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. France continues to support the UAE as a reliable strategic partner.
- French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu met with UAE State Minister for Defense Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi in Paris.
- The bilateral defense cooperation agreement was renewed to enhance the legal framework for French military deployment in the UAE.
- Both nations reaffirmed their support for freedom of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz.
- France maintains a strictly defensive military posture in the region and aims to be a reliable strategic partner for the UAE.
- The original defense agreement was signed in 1995 and deepened in 2009 with the establishment of a joint military base.