By NNN-WAM
Abu Dhabi : French President Nicolas Sarkozy has hailed the UAE’s role in promoting understanding and tolerance among cultures.
Addressing members of the French community in Abu Dhabi Tuesday, Sarkozy who is on a state visit to the UAE, said the country was well-heeled to promote cultural understating among different cultures, thanks to its transcendent view on human fraternity.
“The UAE has established its position as a cultural focal point by attracting some of the world renowned museums such as the Louvre. Abu Dhabi is particularly successful in this regard and France is certainly keen to strengthen cultural partnership with the UAE,” Sarkozy told the French community.
He said: “France is keen to have the UAE as its major partner in this region, particularly in the areas of trade, politics, and culture.”
The French president said he had been keen to see that his visit to the UAE was a success.
“It was my intention to make sure that my visit to Abu Dhabi was successful, a goal that we have achieved by signing a number of military, economic and cultural accords,” he said.
On relations between the East and the West, Sarkozy stressed the need to avoid confrontation, saying that any cultural confrontation would be counterproductive. “Confrontation must be avoided. Instead, cultural tolerance and understanding of the kind advocated by the UAE should be promoted,” he said.
On his meeting with President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the French president said they had conferred on peace efforts in the Middle East.
Lasting peace, he said, could be achieved in the Middle East by establishing a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel.