UAE and Greece seek to bolster co-operation

The UAE and Greece have agreed to strengthen relations in energy, science and technology and food security, after a meeting in Athens.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, met Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece, to discuss relations and review the latest international developments.

They discussed the standoff between Ankara and Athens in the Eastern Mediterranean over access to its resource-rich waters.

The dispute, which has drawn in the EU and regional powers, has brought Greece and Turkey close to an all-out confrontation.

They also discussed developments in Libya and Iran, and spoke of the latest updates on the global fight against Covid-19, including efforts to develop a vaccine.

After another meeting, with Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias, Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE and Greece were looking forward to establishing a strategic partnership based on friendship and mutual respect.

"Our meeting was an opportunity to exchange views on the most significant aspects of our growing bilateral relationship, and on regional and international issues of mutual concern to our two friendly nations," he said.

"It is in the regular holding of these conversations and visits that our relationship grows even further."

Sheikh Abdullah said the two countries had come a long way since establishing relations in 1975.

"Today, the partnership between our two nations covers a broad spectrum of co-operation in all fields and scopes, including economics, politics, defence, culture, governance and food security."

By the end of last year, non-oil trade between the UAE and Greece reached $450 million.

"We would like to even further increase the volumes of our bilateral trade to a level that fully reflects the high potential and capability of our strong partnership," Sheikh Abdullah said.

Last year, more than 24,000 Greek tourists visited the UAE on 14 weekly flights operated by the two countries' national carriers.

More than 4,000 Greek citizens live in the UAE.

Mr Dendias praised relations between the two countries and their co-operation across various sectors, including defence.

He commended the support provided by the UAE for his country to help mitigate the effects of Covid-19.