French President Emmanuel Macron begins a two-day trip to the Gulf on Friday, starting with the UAE. He will also visit Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
During the visit to UAE, the two countries will sign several major deals, according to AFP sources.
“I don’t want to spoil the Christmas present with the president,” Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, told reporters ahead of the visit when asked whether Abu Dhabi would purchase the fighter jets.
Macron will attend a signing ceremony with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed on the sidelines of the Dubai Expo 2020 later on Friday, the presidency said on Thursday in a handout of the French leader’s schedule.
“This is an excellent relationship and various agreements will be signed. After the president’s visit the relationship will be broader in different areas,” Gargash said.
