While referring to the presence of the French President in funeral procession of the President of the United Arab Emirates and his remarks about the strategic partnership between UAE and France, Arash Saffar in an interview with the site of Strategic Council on Foreign Relations spelled out:” those probabilities on geopolitical developments of the Persian Gulf and the Middle East foreseen by France have provoked special attention of the country to the Persian Gulf. The developments are mostly caused by the reduction of the U.S. security commitments on the region and or the willing of the U.S. leaders to reduce these commitments”.

He stated that the change in the U.S. willing creates conditions through which France like other major powers makes effort to be benefitted from those opportunities caused by the reduction of the U.S. hegemony in the region. He added:” the French consider UAE as a strategic partner in the Persian Gulf. As of 1988, when the French Naval
Base was established in Port Zayed, and afterwards they have opened and equipped Al Dhafra Air Base, their ties have continued to gain more importance to this date”.

France’s Effort to Strengthen Its Strategic Role in the Middle East

Having referred to the sealing of a weaponry deal valued at $ 19 billion in the course of Macron’s visit to Abu Dhabi in December 2021 to sell 80 Rafale Fighters, the analyst of the West Asia affairs said:” the French try to be present in the lucrative weapon’s market of the region, as the Ministry of Defense of the country had already announced selling arms is an important contribution to the living and economic activity of the French. Arms export make 13% of industrial professions of the country, directly or indirectly, i.e. 200000 job opportunity. The Middle East is the final destination of 24% of the French arms sales. Moreover, France tries to strengthen its strategic role in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East”.

Having reminded that Macron’s visit to Abu Dhabi to express the sympathy of France, was his first trip abroad since his reelection as the French President, Saffar continued:” the initiative shows the position France has defined for UAE in her foreign policy, and in the light of expansion of diplomatic ties, she tries to develop her investments in the Persian Gulf and in UAE particularly”.

UAE as One of the Pillars of Furtherance in France’s Policies

He pointed out to some cooperation between UAE and France to settle regional challenges and disputes. He added:” It has its own complications to foresee the extent France can further its objectives when the U.S. commitments to the region has reduced. But, anyway, they have defined a role for themselves under such circumstance and they believe that UAE is one of the pillars of the new strategy to proceed with. From their point of view, when UAE has managed to work and to have ties with all regional as well as Western and Eastern countries at different levels, it indicates high potentials of the country in geopolitics of the region”.

The expert of West Asia affairs emphasized:” in view of the conditions caused by the war in Ukraine and the challenges ahead of the European countries to procure oil and energy, the Persian Gulf and UAE has gained a special position. Amid all this, UAE is one of oil producers that has excessive capacity of oil production but has not intention to use it”.

Having reminded that the French Minister of Defense had already announced that UAE, as her main alliance in the Persian Gulf, would be assisted to protect its airspace which was disposed at the attacks of Yemeni Houthis, he added:” In view of its vulnerabilities, UAE will make effort to exploit these opportunities. Both sides have also signed a cooperation and a joint defense agreement”.

In view of the policies furthered by the U.S. in the Middle East and the reduction of the U.S. security commitments, Saffar considered them as to be subjected to some changes and added:” As the major influential power in the Middle East, the U.S. had different positions in security paradigm of countries. In view of the U.S. performance, various situations had formed a range from hostility to unity. But if France succeeds to strengthen her role in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East, the two extremes of the range will be closer to each other”.

He continued:” the French know well that they can hold talks with all regional countries and players better than the U.S. However, the situation requires the necessity of a more active role played by Iran as well as its cooperation in view of its potentials and capacities to play an appropriate role in such a circumstance”.

The expert of West Asia affairs said:” in situations when some players see tensions as an instrument to serve them, such developments may create changes on some regional equations”.

Having referred to the modality how Macron’s policies in the Middle East proceed within the next five years of his presence in France’s high place, Saffar added:” Emanuel Macron has good personal relations and friendship with Mohammad Bin Zayed, the new President of UAE. During the second round of his presidency, Macron will make effort to further strengthen French traditional influence in Syria and Shamat. Having regarded that UAE is the only Arab country in the Persian Gulf that has also maintained its relations with Syria to the highest level of meeting with Bashar Assad, the importance of relations with UAE has become more than ever for France”.

The expert of West Asia affairs stated that amid all Arab countries, UAE enjoys to have an exclusive political and economic status. He added:” in view of the role Paris attaches for herself after the British exit from the European Union, she tries to define a promoted role in the Middle East and pursue multi-dimensional interests for herself. This is an opportunity which will be provided to France by UAE.