HH General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces received on Thursday the visiting French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi welcomed the French Minister and his accompanying delegation. He discussed with him the existing friendship relations between the two friendly countries.

Sheikh Mohamed and Le Drian reviewed strategic coordination and cooperation ties in the area of defense, stressing keenness of the two countries' leaders on strengthening them in the best interest of both sides.

They also tackled a number of issues of mutual interest, as well as the latest regional and international developments. 

The meeting was attended on the UAE side by Staff Major General Essa Saif Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces and Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. A number of French officials were also present. 

Le Drian last visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in July 2013 (photo).

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and the French Defense Minister later met in the French Capital on 17 January 2014

Source WAM; File Photo: UAE Interact