French FM to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius will start a two-day trip to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on January 18-19.

In Abu Dhabi, he will take part in the World Future Energy Summit, an international event devoted to renewable energy, notably together with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and President of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto, Spokesman for the ministry Roman Nadal told reporters on Friday.

On this occasion, the minister will talk about the follow-up to and the implementation of the Paris agreement.

"This visit will also provide an opportunity to give impetus to our bilateral relations," the spokesman said, adding, the minister will meet with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan as well as his counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the spokesman said.

In Dubai, he will meet with the emir, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, as well as with the French business community and UAE. decision makers, Nadal added.

On January 19, Laurent Fabius will travel to Riyadh, where he will meet with key Saudi political leaders, the spokesman said.

"On this occasion he will express his wish to continue strengthening our political and economic relations with this key partner of France, within an especially tense context in the Middle East."

Source: MENA