Paris, Oct 10 (IANS) The French National Assembly has approved a project to build a branch of the famous Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi under a 30-year cultural agreement between the UAE and France.
The project entails development of the museum, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel on Al Sadiyat island off Abu Dhabi. It is expected to be opened in 2012, WAM news agency said.
The agreement allows the Abu Dhabi Louvre to borrow masterpieces from major French museums, including the Louvre, to be displayed for 6-18 months.
After approving the project Tuesday, Christine Albanel, French minister of culture and communication, said: “The project is a unique example of international cultural cooperation. It reflects France’s capabilities of implementing huge cultural schemes, as well as UAE’s keenness to open to other cultures, especially the French heritage.”
Jean-Marie Bockel, French secretary of state for foreign cooperation and francophone affairs, described the partnership as “a boost to France’s cultural policies and to the world’s inter-cultural communication”.