The strategic nature of the relations between Greece and the United Arab Emirates was confirmed in the meeting that the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had with the Heir to the Throne of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during the official visit of the Prime Minister to the United Arab Emirates. The following statements were made at the beginning of the meeting:
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan: “Welcome to the United Arab Emirates. I’m welcoming a friend. We are confident that this visit will strengthen the good relations that the two countries already have. The relations between our two countries that started in 1976 are dynamic and are evolving in all fields.
The strategic agreement that we signed in 2020 gave a great impetus to these relations. As a result, our financial transactions rose by 76% and this is the outcome of the strategic agreement we signed. The UAE seeks to promote further these relationships at all levels, such as energy, technology, health, and food security.
We are following the developments in Ukraine with great concern, because these developments have implications on many levels.
Our stance from the beginning was to mediate and help in humanitarian terms. That is why the Emirates will offer humanitarian aid to citizens in need. We will provide any help required, with the assistance of our friends like Greece. To mitigate all these repercussions at all levels.
Given that this crisis is affecting the energy sector, we always attach importance to energy security. We are interested in the stability of the energy market as we ourselves are also energy suppliers. Despite the crises in the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, the region has a great potential for development and peaceful co-operation. The UAE are working in this direction to prepare for such conditions. To create collaborations with everyone, without exceptions.
The United Arab Emirates and Greece aim for peace and cooperation. “Mr. Prime Minister, dear friend, I welcome you once again and I wish that we can have even greater cooperation and shape more prospects for the future.”
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: “Your Highness, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, my dear friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
It is indeed a great pleasure for me to be with you today, heading a large delegation of ministers and government officials, during my third visit to the United Arab Emirates since I took office.
The close contacts between our two countries, at all levels, demonstrate – I believe – the excellent level of our bilateral relations and the common understanding we share on a wide range of issues.
At the same time, we demonstrate our common desire to attach even greater depth to our truly strategic partnership. A strategic relationship that, as you said, was established in 2020, but today takes a new impetus with the signing of a significant number of memoranda of understanding on a wide range of issues between our two countries.
And this close relationship of ours is based above all on the fraternal relations between our two countries, on our common principles and values, especially on our unwavering commitment to the principles of International Law, as the only mechanism for resolving disputes and peaceful coexistence and cooperation between peoples.
For my part, I want to assure you that further building this partnership is a conscious, stable and long-term choice of mine. After all, our relationship is inextricably linked to the wider interests of the European Union in the region.
You extensively referred to the importance we all attach to the energy issues, as a result of the invasion of Ukraine. And in this area we can further strengthen our cooperation.
Greece has the potential, due to its geographical position, to become a gateway for natural gas, from the Middle East and the southeastern Mediterranean to Europe. Significant investments are being made in this direction and we would like to further explore the possibility of strategic cooperation and participation of funds from the United Arab Emirates in this direction.
At the same time, Greece is reactivating its own mining program to explore natural gas within Greek territory. And this is a perspective that may create opportunities for further strategic cooperation. I know your personal interest in the future of energy, in renewable energy sources.
And on issues such as offshore wind farms, we are ready to move at a rapid pace in order to build strategic partnerships to tap into this very important source of wealth for our country.
As a result, the scope of our cooperation can become wider and deeper. In your face I see a steadfast and faithful friend of my home country. And I want to thank you for the warm welcome you have reserved for myself and my delegation. And let me assure you that Greece will be on the side of the United Arab Emirates when they feel that their own strategic interests are being threatened.
Regarding Yemen, you know that Greece unequivocally condemned the attacks against your country. And we condemn the unacceptable targeting of innocent citizens and infrastructure.
Again, I would like to thank you for your warm welcome. Let me renew my invitation to you to visit Greece, as – due to my illness with Covid – we had to postpone the planned visit which we had originally scheduled. I hope that soon you will be given the opportunity to visit my home island, Crete, to reaffirm once again these strong bonds of friendship that we are building together”.
