A contingent of French armed forces arrived in the UAE Monday to take part in the joint military exercises, UAE national news agency WAM reported.
The drill, dubbed Gulf 2016, will include different units of the armed forces who will train on planning and executing joint operations, as stated in the joint defense co-operation agreement between the two countries.
Gulf 2016 is part of the scheduled exercises in the UAE Armed Forces' calendar for joint training with the armed forces of brotherly and friendly nations.
On another development, Egypt's Defense Minister Lt. General Sidqi Subhi received Juma Mubarak Al Junaibi, UAE Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, in Cairo on Monday.
Al Junaibi praised the progressive ties between the two countries, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Abdel Fattah el Sisi.
Lt. General Sidqi Subhi welcomed the UAE Ambassador and lauded the excellent ties. He also expressed the gratitude of his country’s leadership, government and people to the UAE's stance in support of Egypt.
“The UAE’s support to Egypt stems from a sincere belief among the leadership, government and people of the UAE, who are determined to keep the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan alive,” he added.
Also present during the meeting was Lt. General Mahmoud Hijazi, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
File Photo: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, shakes hands with France’s armed forces.
