DUBAI – Quotes from Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, speaking at the Leadership Pavilion about France’s National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai.
French politician Jean-Yves Le Drian has served as Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs since 2017. Previously the Minister of Defence from 2012 to 2017 under François Hollande, he was nominated by French President Emmanuel Macron to serve as Foreign Minister on 17 May 2017.
Talking to press at Expo 2020’s Leadership Pavilion, Jean-Yves Le Drian said he was “truly touched” by his first visit to Expo 2020 and that it was “a beautiful surprise to see the pavilion of the United Arab Emirates, a pavilion that shows 50 years of history”.
Are you pleased that France has such a significant presence at Expo?
“All of us – each and every country – did the right thing by participating in this Expo, which reinforces international cooperation. Expo 2020 brings us a message of hope during the time of a pandemic. I think the France Pavilion will stay as relevant across the next six months as it was today, and if we can help to keep the world calm and confident through the platform of Expo, then this can only be a good thing.”
How significant to you is the fact that France was the first country to celebrate its National Day at Expo 2020?
“Today has demonstrated the strong affection between both of our countries. France being chosen as the first country to host its National Day demonstrates how strong our bilateral relations are. They are relations based on trust, efficiency and diversity in all areas: culture, economy and education. I believe this partnership has been reinforced over the last two days.”
What message does France wish to convey at Expo?
“I’m now really convinced that our message – the message that France is conveying all over the world – is the right one. It is a message of technology, a message of light and enlightenment, and a message of science at the surface of development all over the world.
“France has organised its pavilion around three main subjects: light and enlightenment; mobility; and knowledge and know-how. These three elements are all linked – as evidenced in the architecture – and are pillars that are essential to building a world that is based on solidarity. The idea of progress was at the heart of its creation – just as it was in our involvement in previous World Expos. We have to keep the spirit alive. I have noticed that this is the spirit that is shared by the organisers, by the country’s leaders and by all the people that I met here today.”
How will this Expo enhance your relationship with the Arab world?
“While I have made it clear that I am here to talk about the exhibition, and not to go into too much detail about geostrategy, I would like to say that our relationship with the UAE is one which is based on trust, and we enjoy many different economic activities within the various emirates. Our relationship with the UAE has been elevated to being a strategic partnership, which is very important as it shows it is a relationship based on confidence.
“I look forward to coming back to the UAE on 2 December for the 50th anniversary of this nation, together with ministers, CEOs, experts, scientists, artists and personalities from across the world.”
