CNA News

President Christodoulides to meet with UAE President, Ambassador tells CNA

President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides is expected to have a meeting with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the context of a visit he will pay the country to take part in the COP28 conference, Cypriot Ambassador to the UAE, Meropi Christofi, has said. 

In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Christofi said that President Christodoulides will have the opportunity, among other things, to elaborate on the next steps in relation to Cyprus’ Mediterranean initiative. 

The Ambassador, who spoke to CNA on the sidelines of the World Media Congress which took place recently in Abu Dhabi, referred to the excellent level of bilateral relations between Cyprus and the UAE, noting that several bilateral agreements have been signed and are being implemented. She added that some are under negotiation and are expected to have a positive outcome. 

Christofi noted that at the political level there is a great interest in strengthening cooperation relations in multilateral actions, expressing hope that a visit of the UAE President to Cyprus within 2024 will be possible. 

She referred to the cooperation between Cyprus and the Emirates on issues of trade, economy, energy, artificial intelligence and the e-governance of Cyprus, while she also referred to COP28 which will be held from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai with the participation of President Christodoulides and government Ministers. 

Asked about what is expected ahead of COP28 at the bilateral level from the visit of President Christodoulides, Christofi replied that during his stay in the UAE for COP28, a meeting between President Christodoulides and the President of the UAE is expected to take place, adding that the President will have the opportunity, among other things, to elaborate on the next steps in relation to Cyprus’ Mediterranean initiative. 

Christofi said that COP28 is expected to record the objectives of what has been achieved since the Paris Summit to date and agree on the framework and next steps. 

Asked about what the bilateral agreements between Cyprus and the UAE concern, Christofi said that they are mainly on trade, investment and protection of investors, cooperation in the fields of education, health and tourism. 

She added that one area which will be promoted very soon is cooperation on artificial intelligence and upgrading Cyprus government services with e-governance, in which the UAE is a pioneer. 

Christofi also said that the Emirates import from Cyprus mainly traditional Cypriot cheese halloumi and olive oil. She also said that Cyprus also provides services to companies based in the UAE. 

The Ambassador noted that trade between the two countries is well-developed, however, she continued, there is always space for further strengthening and improving relations.