His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received Monday French Navy Chief Admiral Christophe Prazuck and reviewed prospects for advancing defense cooperation to a higher level.

The meeting addressed the friendship ties between the two countries, with the two sides exchanging views on a number of issues of common interest and the latest developments in the region, Emirates News Agency WAM reported.

 The French Navy Commander was accompanied by Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and Rear Admiral Pilot Staff Major General Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Commander of the Naval Forces.

 Attending the meeting were H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance along with French Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, S.E. Ludovic Pouille.

 Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin reviewed the latest regional and international developments, with special emphasis on the current situation in the Gulf region.

 This came in a phone call Sheikh Mohamed received from the Russian leader, during which they underlined the importance of maintaining coordination and joint action between the two countries to ensure security and stability in the Gulf Region and Middle East.

 The two leaders reviewed prospects for further consolidating bilateral relations in addition to an array of issues of common interest.

 Lastly, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed started a two-day official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany on Tuesday.

 During his visit, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed will meet with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The two sides will discuss ways of boosting cooperation and friendship relations across various fields.

 Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed will also meet, during the visit, with senior German officials along with a number of representatives of German companies.