The UAE's new president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held talks on Sunday with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron who had travelled to the country to pay his respects following the death on Friday of the sheik's brother Sheikh Khalifa, reports Radio France Internationale.
Macron, in his first foreign visit since winning a second presidential term, expressed his condolences to his family and the people over Sheikh Khalifa's death, said a spokesperson for the Élysée Palace.
"The United Arab Emirates are a strategic partner for France, a fact that is borne out by the degree of our cooperation in areas as varied as defence, culture and education," the spokesperson added.
In December during Macron's last trip, top UAE politicians signed a 14-billion euro contract for 80 Rafale fighter planes from France. French energy companies also concluded big money deals.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan – dubbed MBZ – had been the de facto ruler of the UAE since 2014 when Sheikh Khalifa withdrew from the political frontline after a stroke.
He became the de jure leader on Saturday when he was unanimously anointed by the heads of the country's seven emirates.