Mr. Mitsotakis in the UAE: Joint initiative for the realization of investments in our country amounting to 4 billion euros

LAST UPDATE: 13.23

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paid an official visit to Abu Dhabi. This is his third visit to the country since 2020, which marks the will of the two countries to further strengthen relations and their strategic character.

Government sources say that in the meeting of the Prime Minister with the successor of the Throne of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the prospects of further deepening and expansion of the excellent bilateral relations were discussed.

In this spirit, important agreements were signed in the fields of investment, economic and technical cooperation, industry and advanced technologies, climate action, energy, health, police cooperation and standardization.

According to the same sources, these are agreements that consolidate and deepen the rapidly growing strategic cooperation between the two countries. Central to the development of economic relations is the renewal of the successful cooperation of the Hellenic Development Bank with the state investment fund Mubadala and the creation of a joint initiative to make investments in our country amounting to 4 billion euros, highlighting its attractiveness as a global investment destination. .

The two leaders exchanged views on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The Prime Minister informed about the provocative behavior of Turkey and reiterated that it not only complicates the bilateral communication, but endangers the stability in the region.

Developments in Ukraine and the new conditions in the European and international security environment were also discussed. The Prime Minister stressed that geopolitical developments demonstrate the need for an EU-UAE rapprochement on security, energy and the green transition.

Finally, the need to address global environmental challenges and strengthen bilateral cooperation in this regard, in view of the organization by the UAE of the 28th Conference on Climate Change (COP28) in 2023 was discussed.

The Prime Minister was accompanied on the official visit by the Minister of Development and Investment, Adonis Georgiadis, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Costas Skrekas, the Minister of Citizen Protection, Takis Theodorikakos, the Deputy Minister of Health, Mina Gadypos, and Mina Gadyptas, Public Investment and the Corporate Pact for the Development Framework, Giannis Tsakiris, Undersecretary of State for Economic Diplomacy and Extroversion, Costas Frangogiannis, Secretary General of International Economic Relations, Foreign Minister of Greece, in the United Arab Emirates, Dionysios Zois, the Director of the Diplomatic Office of the Prime Minister, Ambassador Anna-Maria Boura, the National Security Adviser, Dr. Athanasios Dokos and the deputy government representative, Aristotle Peloni.

“Gas transmission hub in Europe from the Middle East – n / a Mediterranean Greece”

At the meeting with the Crown Prince, the strategic nature of the relations between Greece and the United Arab Emirates was confirmed.

“Welcome to the United Arab Emirates. I welcome a friend. 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.” , said Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan addressing the Prime Minister. He continued: “The strategic agreement we signed in 2020 gave a big boost to these relations. As a result, our financial transactions increased by 76% and this is a result of the strategic agreement we signed. The Emirates seeks these relations to move forward in all levels, such as energy, technology, health, but also food safety “. He also added that the United Arab Emirates is watching developments in Ukraine with great concern, because these developments have implications on many levels.

“Our attitude from the beginning was to mediate and help the humanitarian side. That is why the Emirates will offer humanitarian aid to the citizens in need. We will give any help we need 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 co-operation. The Emirates are working in this direction to prepare such conditions. “To work with everyone, without exception,” he added, adding that the United Arab Emirates and Greece are committed to peace and co-operation.

“Mr. Prime Minister, dear friend, I welcome you once again and wish that we have even greater cooperation and shape more prospects for the future,” he said.

“Your Excellency, Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. “of my duties,” the prime minister 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,” said Mr. Mitsotakis. He noted: “At the same time, we are demonstrating our common desire to give even more depth to our truly strategic partnership. and this close relationship 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 dispute resolution and peaceful coexistence and cooperation between peoples “.

The Prime Minister added: “For my part, I want to assure you that further building this partnership is a conscious, stable and long-term choice on my part. ‘After all, our relationship is inextricably linked to the wider interests of the European Union area.

And you spoke at length about 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.”

Mr. 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 capital participation from the United Arab Emirates in this direction. At the same time, Greece is reactivating its own extraction program to find natural gas within the Greek mainland. And this is a prospect that may open the door to further strategic cooperation. “to build strategic partnerships to utilize this very important source of wealth for our country,” he said.

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

Regarding Yemen, Mr. 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 for your warm welcome. To renew my invitation to visit Greece, as due to my illness from Covid we had to postpone the scheduled visit we had planned. I hope to see you soon “give me the opportunity to visit my island, Crete, to renew once again these strong bonds of friendship that we are building between us”, stressed the Prime Minister.

Source: AMPE