Mohammed bin Rashid, Mohamed bin Zayed - 2nd add

X X X Al Salam alaykum In his speech, President Macron thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and said he was proud of his friendship.

"The birth of this global cultural landmark in Abu Dhabi is a response to those who seek to destroy the humanity. This marvelous museum displays the different eras of civilisation," he said.

The French President said he was impressed with the examples the UAE has been giving to the world.

"The UAE is a crossroads connecting East and the West a melting pot for various cultures and a closest friend to Europe. It has skillfully maintained a delicate balance in its relations with the European, African and Asian continents," he added.

Macron also praised the wise UAE policy and its positions, while located in a volatile region.

"The UAE gives us a success story in many faces. The country also succeeded in facing many challenges, including the climate change."

Addressing His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, he said: "Allow me Your Highness to tell you that France will always be at your side in confronting all challenges and will continuously support you."

President Macron expressed his pleasure and the happiness of the French government and people over the birth of this colossal cultural and civilisational project in the UAE.''It means a lot to France as well as to the UAE - our strategic and cultural partner.'' The French head of state reiterated his country's support for the resolutions taken by UAE which he called ''brave''.

''This museum is a fruit of a longstanding co-operation between our countries which saw light in 2007,'' Macron said.

''It is a fruit of a wise and insightful vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, which he inspired from the wisdom and vision of his father, the late Sheikh Zayed,'' he added.

The French President affirmed that the UAE and France wanted - through the launch of the Louvre Abu Dhabi - to send a joint world powerful message about their rich culture.

Present were H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Qaiwain, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras al-Khaimah H.H., Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), H.H.Sheikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, H.H. Sheikh Diab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.H. Sheikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care & Special Needs (ZHO), H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Executive Council Member, H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Transport Department and Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance.

Also present were representatives of the GCC, Arab and friendly countries' leaders, ministers, senior officials and guests.

Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the museum contains 23 permanent galleries, special exhibition spaces, a children’s museum, an auditorium, restaurants, retail outlets and a research centre. Surrounded by the sea, the buildings are connected by waterfront promenades beneath the museum’s stunning dome.