President Sarkozy opens French naval base in Abu Dhabi
Khalil Tawfiq
01/06/2009
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Emirati counterpart Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed. (Emirates News Agency).bmp)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy formally opened a permanent French naval base in Abu Dhabi, the first of its kind to be located outside the country in 50 years. The UAE requested its establishment under the terms of a joint defence agreement between the two governments concluded in 1995.
The base is located about 225 kilometres from the coast of Iran and becomes operational at a time when the region is experiencing intermittent tensions between the Islamic Republic and Western states, especially considering the U.S. battleships that are currently deployed off the Straits of Hormuz, through which 40 percent of the world's oil exports pass.
In reference to Iran, which occupies three Emirati islands, Sarkozy stressed that the permanent French military presence in the UAE is not a threatening one. Instead, France intends to establish a "naval peace camp" in Abu Dhabi to carry a message of peace to the entire region. Sarkozy expressed the hope that the base will promote stability in the region and allow naval forces of other nations to receive training in the UAE.
The French newspaper Le Figaro, however, quoted a French diplomat as saying, "If Iran attacks the Emirates one day, then it will also be attacking France." He explained that Paris hopes the permanent deployment of French forces near the Straits of Hormuz will act as a deterrent against Tehran.
Sarkozy added that the Abu Dhabi base will not replace its Djibouti base, which works primarily to counter piracy. On the contrary, he explained that the roles of the bases are complementary.
The French president delivered these words at the Emirates Palace Hotel following a ceremony attended by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, at an event inaugurating work to establish a branch of the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi.
The French president's schedule was filled with meetings during his less than 24 hour visit to the UAE. In his meeting with Emirati ruler Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, the two leaders signed a number of agreements in the areas of security, defence and diplomatic cooperation. Sarkozy's tour also included a stop at the Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi.
Source: Emirates News Agency / UAE newspapers Al-Ittihad and The National / French Le Figaro newspaper
01/06/2009
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Emirati counterpart Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed. (Emirates News Agency)
.bmp)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy formally opened a permanent French naval base in Abu Dhabi, the first of its kind to be located outside the country in 50 years. The UAE requested its establishment under the terms of a joint defence agreement between the two governments concluded in 1995.
The base is located about 225 kilometres from the coast of Iran and becomes operational at a time when the region is experiencing intermittent tensions between the Islamic Republic and Western states, especially considering the U.S. battleships that are currently deployed off the Straits of Hormuz, through which 40 percent of the world's oil exports pass.
In reference to Iran, which occupies three Emirati islands, Sarkozy stressed that the permanent French military presence in the UAE is not a threatening one. Instead, France intends to establish a "naval peace camp" in Abu Dhabi to carry a message of peace to the entire region. Sarkozy expressed the hope that the base will promote stability in the region and allow naval forces of other nations to receive training in the UAE.
The French newspaper Le Figaro, however, quoted a French diplomat as saying, "If Iran attacks the Emirates one day, then it will also be attacking France." He explained that Paris hopes the permanent deployment of French forces near the Straits of Hormuz will act as a deterrent against Tehran.
Sarkozy added that the Abu Dhabi base will not replace its Djibouti base, which works primarily to counter piracy. On the contrary, he explained that the roles of the bases are complementary.
The French president delivered these words at the Emirates Palace Hotel following a ceremony attended by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, at an event inaugurating work to establish a branch of the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi.
The French president's schedule was filled with meetings during his less than 24 hour visit to the UAE. In his meeting with Emirati ruler Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, the two leaders signed a number of agreements in the areas of security, defence and diplomatic cooperation. Sarkozy's tour also included a stop at the Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi.
Source: Emirates News Agency / UAE newspapers Al-Ittihad and The National / French Le Figaro newspaper
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