Cyprus and UAE to begin consultations for cooperation

Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates agreed to begin bilateral consultations to establish a comprehensive strategic co-operation on foreign policy and security, during a working visit that Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides paid to Abu Dhabi on Monday.

According to a press release by the Foreign Ministry, Christodoulides held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during a working visit to the country.

During their tete -a -tete meeting  as well as the extended talks that followed with the participation of other officials, the two Ministers had the opportunity to review the ever-expanding range of bilateral relations between the two states.

According to the press release, they noted the excellent level of bilateral cooperation, the common approach on a number of regional and international issues, as well as the mutual commitment to seek solutions to the problems of the wider region through dialogue based on a positive approach. It is added that on the basis of that, they agreed  to launch bilateral consultations between the two countries aiming to establish a comprehensive strategic cooperation on  foreign policy and security.

Furthermore, they agreed to speed up and conclude the processes for a number of interstate agreements that are under negotiation, including in the field of investments.

They also agreed on the need to further strengthen regional co-operation on the basis of good neighborly relations, without exceptions, and in this context they stressed the importance of the UAE`s interest in participating in the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Forum (EMGF) as well as the  first official tripartite meeting of Cyprus - UAE - Greece to  take place in the near future.

Earlier on, the Christodoulides met with Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council of the UAE.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on the prospects of further strengthening bilateral relations,  the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, as well as EU-UAE relations and the role of the Republic of Cyprus as an EU Member State in the region.

The Cypriot Minister will pay today a one day visit to Saudi Arabia.