UAE and Cyprus sign various agreements to strengthen ties

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Thursday met with the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, who is currently visiting the UAE to participate in his country’s national day celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed welcomed President Nicos Anastasiades and his accompanying delegation during the meeting that took place at Expo 2020 Dubai. His Highness highlighted the deep historical ties between the UAE and Cyprus and their shared desire to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields to serve the mutual interests of both nations.

The two leaders also discussed a number of regional and global topics of mutual interest, and highlighted the importance of promoting peace globally which will help ensure progress, development and stability for the world. The meeting explored new avenues to strengthen bilateral relations especially in the fields of business, investment and tourism as well as opportunities that can benefit the private sectors in both countries. The two leaders highlighted the important role the private sector can play in boosting economic partnerships between both countries.

The President of Cyprus expressed his country’s keenness to take bilateral relations to greater heights in the years ahead. He praised the strategic partnership between Cyprus and the UAE, as well as the UAE’s remarkable development journey under the leadership of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

President Nicos Anastasiades also congratulated the UAE on the successful hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai, and expressed his wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of the UAE and its people.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, along with a number of ministers and senior officials from both countries.

Sheikh Mohammed and the President of Cyprus also attended the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in diverse areas.

The agreements included a joint declaration to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership between the UAE Government and the Cyprus Government. The agreement was signed by Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Constantinos Petrides, Cyprus’s Minister of Finance.

An MoU for cooperation in the field of diplomatic training between Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy of the UAE and the Diplomatic Academy of the Republic of Cyprus was signed by Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy and Natasa Pilides, Cyprus’s Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry. Another MoU for cooperation in the field of maritime transport was signed by Excellency Suhail Bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Vassilios Demetriades, Cyprus’s Shipping Deputy Minister to the President.

Dr Mohammed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE, and Kyriacos Kokkinos, Deputy Minister to the President of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of the Republic of Cyprus signed an MoU on cybersecurity.