Paris, Apr. 28th, 2007 (WAM)---Under directives from PresidentH.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and instructions byGeneral Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi CrownPrince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces,Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Cultureand Heritage Authority (ADCH) and Chairman Abu Dhabi TourismAuthority (ADTA) signed here yesterday an agreement to restoreand rehabilitate the famous Chateau de Fontainebleau wherebythe Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi shall finance therestoration and rehabilitation works of thehistoric palace with a total value of 10 million euros.

The agreement which comes in the framework of boosting culturaland tourism relations between the UAE, Abu Dhabi emirate in particular,and France was signed by French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieude Vabres.

Present at the signing ceremony was Zaki Nusaibah Deputy Chairmanof ADCHA, Mubarak Hamad al-Muhairi Director General of Abu DhabiTourism Authority and UAE Ambassador to France Saif Sultan al-Ariani.

Also present were member of the French Parliament Didier Julia,Mayor of Fontainebleau Fredrick Valitou , Director of MuseumsFrancine Mariani-Ducray and curator of Le Chateau deFontaine Bernard Notari and representatives of Arab and internationalmedia.

According to the agreement, the Napoleon III Theatre shall berenamed to Sheikha Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan Theatre in appreciationof Sheikh Khalifa's generous initiatives and his leading contributionsand support to culture.

A plaque bearing the name of Sheikh Khalifa was unveiled afterthe ceremony.

"The initiative of President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed AlNahyan to restore the historic premises of the palace is hisgift to France in recognition of the cultural and enlightenmentroles it plays across the world and in the Middle East in Particular",Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun said.

"This agreement is proof to the deep-rooted cultural and tourismrelations between the UAE and France. We consider it as an additionalpillar of out bilateral relations. This agreement will open newhorizons for cultural, tourism and scientific cooperation", headded.

He said the French-UAE cultural interaction is manifested throughthe mutual UAE and French participations in cultural and heritageevents. France played a significant role in excavations whichunveiled the ancient history of Abu Dhabi emirate which datesback to 300 BC.

Chateau de Fontainebleau is not only one of the landmarks ofFrench historic heritage, rather it is a universal human legacythat has to be preserved", remarked Zaki Nusaibah.

"Sheikh Khalifa's initiative is part of a long history of cooperationbetween France and the UAE and is set to be followed by othercultural partnership", he added.

In a speech ahead of the signing ceremony, French Culture MinisterRenaud Donnedieu said the agreement adds a significant dimensionto the cultural relations between the two countries along withthe recently signed agreements for setting up a Sorbonne Universitycampus in Abu Dhabi and exhibiting the Louvre museum's artifactsin Saadiyat Island.

Donnedieu expressed deep gratitude to President H.H. SheikhKhalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his interest and generous patronizationof efforts to preserve the French heritage.

He said Chateau de Fontainebleau has a significant position intheFrench heritage due to its unique architecture, decorations andinvaluable artifacts.

Through having the agreement signed in what is knows as theGovernance Hall, we try to express our thanks to this generouspatronization and significant support as well as our appreciationof this blessed step cultural cooperation between our two friendlycountries.

"Chateau de Fontainebleau, and in particular the theatre tobe named after Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, will restoreits significant status in France's history through this supportand consequently boost tourism after finishing restoration works",he stressed.

"Phases of the restoration plan for Chateau de Fontainebleauto begin at Napoleon III Theatre will be set in coordinationwith participating companies", he added.

"This current cultural cooperation is proof to the approach thetwo counties adopt in further boosting cooperation and peacefulrapprochement among the world's cultures and civilizations awayrejecting collision, fanaticism which might result in more animosityand aversion", Donnedieu concluded.

The Royal Chateau of Fontainebleau is the largest of the French royal chateaux. The chateau as itis today is the work of many French monarchs, building on a structureof Francis I. The building is ranged round a series of courts.

The city of Fontainebleau has grown up around the remainder ofthe Forest of Fontainebleau, a former royal hunting park.

A classified UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fontainebleau whichhosts 1530 invaluable artifacts and rare furniture was home to34 French monarchs and emperors. There, Napoleon bade farewellto his Old Guard and went into exile in 1814. With modificationsof the chateau's structure, including the cobblestone entrancewide enough for his carriage, Napoleon helped make the chateauthe place that visitors see today. Fontainebleau was the settingof the Second Empire court of his nephew Napoleon III.

Today part of the chateau is home to the Ecoles d'Art Americaines,a school of art, architecture, and music for students from theUnited States.