Abu Dhabi, Nov 9th, 2007: Abu Dhabi is all set to become a meeting place of different cultures of the world, thanks to its various projects on the cultural field, said Jack Lang, the former French Minister of Culture.

Jack Lang cited the recent deals with France to have a satellite of the world renowned Louvre Museum of France and to open the branch of Paris-Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi, as two of the most recent examples of the cultural openness of the emirate without compromising on its own cultural identity.

In an interview with Emirates News Agency (WAM), Jack Lang, who is on a visit to UAE, said the Louvre Museum project is an ideal example of quality of relations between UAE and France.

Recently, the French parliament voted for lending artifacts of the Louvre Museum to Abu Dhabi, paving the way for setting up the 'Abu Dhabi Louvre' Museum.

The Louvre Museum is one of the best museums in the world chronicling the history of civilizations on the planet earth.

Jack Lang specially hailed the attitude of cultural openness found in the Foreign Minister of UAE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, with whom he had discussions regarding the two major projects of cultural exchange between France and UAE.

Abu Dhabi is capable of striking a meticulous reconciliation between the past and the present by way of preserving its traditions and, at the same time, being dynamic enough to adapt itself to the modern times, said the former French Minister.

Shedding light on the influence of Arab culture on France, Jack Lang said that Arab libraries, cultural events, exhibitions and Arab educational institutions have become part of the mainstream of French cultural life.

Arabic language is being taught in the French schools in the secondary stage, noted Jack Lang.

The presence of Moroccan musicians and composers has added to the richness of the French culture, he added.

Jack Lang said that the Arab studies in the French universities have helped to eradicate many prejudices existing against Arabs.

Speaking on globalisation and the subsequent spread of American culture, Jack Lang said that this phenomenon is not intimidating so long as every society is capable of preserving its own cultural heritage and identity.

He said that it is the right of any nation to live in freedom and peace and to reject politics of militancy and cultural imperialism. Jack Lang called upon the Arabs to preserve their distinctive cultural identity and to earn more friends and allies worldwide.

France is a natural ally of Arabs and if they unite they will form a powerful power of peace, said Jack Lang.

Jack Lang reiterated that Arab and Islamic East is not a terrorist entity. Terrorism is found everywhere at every time. Terrorists come from every religion and to attach terrorism as a tenet of Faith of Islam and Arabs is 'ridiculous', he added.

He said that best way to wipe out sentiments of terrorism is to spread knowledge and education. In this regard he hailed the 'Dubai cares' initiative launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai to provide education to one million poor children worldwide.