ABU DHABI – Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during his official visit to the United Arab Emirates on Monday. The meeting confirmed the strategic nature of relations between Greece and the United Arab Emirates.

“We are confident that this visit will strengthen the good relations that the two countries already have. The relations between our two countries, which began in 1976, are dynamic and evolving in all fields,” Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan told the prime minister.

He added: “The strategic agreement we signed in 2020 gave a great boost to these relations. As a result, our financial transactions increased by 76 pct and this is a result of the strategic agreement we signed. The Emirates seek to advance these relations at all levels, such as energy, technology, health, but also food security.”

He also added that the United Arab Emirates is monitoring developments in Ukraine with great concern, because these developments have implications on many levels.

“Our attitude from the beginning was to mediate and help on the humanitarian side. That is why the Emirates will offer humanitarian aid to citizens in need. We will give any help with the help of our friends like Greece. To mitigate all these effects at all levels.

Because 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 are also energy suppliers. Despite the crises in the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, the region has great potential for development and peaceful cooperation. The Emirates are working in this direction to prepare such conditions. To create partnerships with everyone, without exceptions,” he added.

He also stressed that the United Arab Emirates and Greece aim for peace and cooperation.

“I am really pleased to be with you today, as the head of a large delegation of ministers and government officials, on my third visit to the United Arab Emirates since taking office,” Mitsotakis said.

“And the close contacts between our two countries, at all levels, demonstrate – I believe – the excellent level of our bilateral relations and the understanding we have on a wide range of issues,” he underlined.

The Greek premier also pointed out that “At the same time, we are demonstrating our common desire to give even greater depth to our truly strategic partnership. A strategic relationship that, as you said, was established in 2020, but today is gaining new momentum with the signing of a significant number of memoranda of understanding on a wide range of issues between the 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 the peoples.”

The prime minister added: “On my part, I want to assure you that the further building of this partnership is a conscious, stable and long-term choice. After all, our relationship is inextricably linked to the wider interests of the European Union in the region.

And you spoke at length to the importance we all attach to, as a result of the invasion of Ukraine, energy issues. And in this area we can further strengthen our cooperation.”

Mitsotakis underlined that Greece has the potential due to its geographical location to become a gateway for natural gas from the Middle East and from the southeastern Mediterranean to Europe.

“Significant investments are being made in this direction and we would like to explore further 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 exploration programme to find 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. In issues such as offshore wind farms, we are ready to move rapidly in order to build strategic partnerships to exploit this very important source of wealth for our country,” he said.

Consequently, “the range of our cooperation can become wider and deeper. And in your face I see a steadfast and faithful friend of my country. And I want to thank you for the warm welcome to me and my delegation. I also want to reassure you that Greece will be on the side of the United Arab Emirates, when they feel that their own strategic interests are threatened.”

Regarding Yemen, Mitsotakis said that Greece unequivocally condemned the attacks against the UAE and the unacceptable targeting of innocent civilians and infrastructure. “Again, I want to thank you my friend for your warm welcome. To renew my invitation to visit Greece, as due to my illness from Covid we had to postpone your scheduled visit. I hope that soon you will be given the opportunity to visit and my island, Crete, to renew once again these strong bonds of friendship that we are building between us,” the prime minister underlined.