Mohammed bin Rashid meets France's Prime Minister in Paris

Paris, June 13, 2013 (WAM) - His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today met the French Prime, Jean-Marc Ayrault, at the headquarters of the French Cabinet. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, attended the meeting. Sheikh Mohammed's discussions with the French Prime Minister focussed on ways of developing the strategic partnership between the UAE and France, particularly in the areas of trade exchange, economy, culture and academic matters. They also discussed the role of the French community - about 18,000 strong -in the UAE, the French companies operating in the country and their role in the economic development in the UAE. Sheikh Mohammed praised French culture and history, saying that he had been pleased to visit the Louvre Museum, where he was briefed on the deep-rooted French heritage, civilisation and culture. Among those who attended the meeting were Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State, the Dubai Ruler's Court Director-General, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, the Director of the Dubai Ruler's Office, Lt. General Musabbah Rashid Al Fattan, the Dubai Director of Protocol and Hospitality, Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, and the UAE Ambassador to France, Mohammad Meer Abdullah Al Raessi. – Emirates News Agency, WAM