Peaceful solution remains France’s top priority amid growing tensions in the Middle East and beyond, said its ambassador to the UAE. Speaking ahead of France’s national day, Nicolas Niemtchinow emphasized that war harms everyone and diplomacy must prevail.
On Sunday, he urged global powers to focus on negotiations instead of conflict. He pointed to the recent Israel-Iran tension and ongoing violence in Gaza as clear reasons for restraint. France, he said, continues working closely with the UAE to avoid further regional escalation.
“We want a peaceful solution through talks,” Niemtchinow explained. “Escalation is a loss for everyone involved.”
Turning to Gaza, the ambassador repeated France’s calls for an immediate ceasefire and full humanitarian access. He also pushed for the release of all hostages. Gaza, he said, continues to worsen the political climate across the region.
“Everyone loses in conflict,” he warned. “It hurts the economy, trade, and the daily lives of people.”
France also supports Palestinian statehood through diplomatic efforts. A planned conference, co-chaired with Saudi Arabia, will focus on this issue later this month. Niemtchinow stressed that even outside the region, global peace remains fragile. He cited the war in Ukraine as another urgent crisis. France, he said, demands peace there too, but not “at any price.”
“Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security,” he stated. “We cannot ignore a war in our own continent.”
Despite these global pressures, France and the UAE continue to strengthen cooperation. Their ties now span culture, defense, education, and innovation. About 33,000 French citizens live in the UAE, most of them in Dubai. Economic ties are also growing. Bilateral trade has reached €8.5 billion, rising 15 percent each year. Meanwhile, French institutions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi show the depth of cultural collaboration.
In February, both nations signed a major AI deal. The project will build a gigawatt-scale data center in France. It focuses on research, education, and scaling artificial intelligence. Investment will reach tens of millions of dollars.
“Artificial intelligence is powerful and life-changing,” said Niemtchinow. “But we must develop it responsibly.”
The ambassador also raised concerns about climate change. He called for continued action to protect oceans, reduce emissions, and stop biodiversity loss. He warned that “politics of the past”, violence and war, are resurfacing globally. To fight this, the world must unite around peace, innovation, and cooperation.
“Every day brings new global surprises,” he said. “We need trust, stability, and a shared vision.” France and the UAE, he concluded, will continue building that future, together with a strong and strategic partnership rooted in a peaceful solution.
