Paris, Oct. 9th, 2007 (WAM) - The French National Assembly has approved a project to build a branch of the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi, under a 30-year cultural agreement between the UAE and France.

The project entails development of the museum, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel on Al Sadiyat island off Abu Dhabi. It is expected to be opened in 2012.

The agreement allows Abu Dhabi Louvre to borrow masterpieces from French major museums, including the Louvre, to be displayed in Abu Dhabi for a period of 6-18 months.

"The project is a unique example of international cultural cooperation. It reflects France's capabilities of implementing huge cultural schemes, as well as UAE's keenness to open to other cultures, specially the French heritage," Christine Albanel, Minister of Culture & Communication said.

Jean-Marie Bockel, French Secretary of State for Foreign Cooperation & Francophone Affairs described the partnership as "a boost to France's cultural policies and to the world's inter-cultural communication."