French President Emmanuel Macron (center-right) and United Arab Emirates'President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed look at UAE Industry Minister Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber (front-left) and with French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire (front-center) signing documents during a signing ceremony before a state dinner at the Grand Trianon estate near the Palace of Versailles, south west of Paris on July 18, 2022. (CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON / POOL / AFP)

PARIS - The governments of France and the United Arab Emirates signed on Monday a strategic agreement to cooperate in the energy sector, the French government said.

The deal coincides with the visit to Paris of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan between July 17-19, his first overseas state visit since taking over from his half-brother in May

The partnership aimed to identify joint investment projects in France, the UAE or elsewhere in the sectors of hydrogen, renewable and nuclear energy, the French government said in a statement.

"In the currently uncertain energy context, this agreement will pave the way for a stable long-term framework for cooperation, opening the way for new industrial contracts," it added.

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The deal coincides with the visit to Paris of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan between July 17-19, his first overseas state visit since taking over from his half-brother in May.