The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi welcomed France's foreign minister to Abu Dhabi on Monday. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, met Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss the latest regional developments. Mr Le Drian earlier visited Louis Massignon school to open a 300,000 square metre extension of the facility in the Al Saadah area. "France and the UAE have an exceptional relationship," <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/uae/french-foreign-minister-meets-pupils-at-abu-dhabi-s-lyc%C3%A9e-louis-massignon-1.929660#1">he said at the school</a>, which opened just months after the country was founded in December 1971. Mr Le Drian has a packed itinerary and the two day visit also saw the UAE and France launch a partnership for "sustainable development" including the fight against climate change. He will give a speech on regional issues at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi at 4pm and visit Louvre Abu Dhabi to inaugurate the new exhibition - <em>10,000 Years of Luxury</em>. It showcases 350 objects that symbolise the history of fashion, jewellery, art and design - including the <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/uae/heritage/world-s-oldest-natural-pearl-found-in-abu-dhabi-1.925967">oldest natural pearl</a> ever found, which was unearthed in Abu Dhabi last year and made public last week.