NICOSIA: Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides received UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a working visit to the Cypriot capital, with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos attending. The UAE foreign minister conveyed greetings from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and wishes of continued progress and prosperity for Cyprus and its people. Christodoulides returned greetings to the UAE president and expressed wishes of continued prosperity and wellbeing for the UAE and its people.
The UAE Foreign Ministry said the meeting reviewed the repercussions of Iranian missile attacks that it said targeted the UAE, Cyprus and other countries in the region. The ministry said Sheikh Abdullah emphasized that his visit was intended to reaffirm the UAE’s solidarity with Cyprus in the wake of those attacks. It also said he expressed appreciation to Christodoulides for Cyprus’ solidarity with the UAE during the recent developments.
The two sides discussed steps to deepen cooperation across economic, trade and investment fields, as well as renewable energy, technology, tourism and education, the UAE Foreign Ministry said. The ministry said the talks framed these areas as supporting sustainable development in both countries. It added that Sheikh Abdullah reiterated the strength of UAE-Cyprus relations and their continued development across multiple sectors, describing the UAE as keen to expand partnerships that support broad-based development and economic prosperity.
Strategic Partnership and Energy Links
The UAE and Cyprus have cited a comprehensive strategic partnership framework covering areas including political consultations, defence and security, energy, trade and investment, tourism and culture, education, science and technology, and maritime transport. Senior officials from both countries have maintained frequent contact as the relationship has expanded in scope and scale. In December 2025, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visited Cyprus, where he was received by Christodoulides upon arrival, as part of a drive to advance bilateral cooperation.
The momentum continued in late January 2026, when Sheikh Abdullah received Kombos in Abu Dhabi, and the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership in the field of energy. In that meeting, the UAE Foreign Ministry said the ministers reviewed the outcomes of the UAE president’s December visit and explored cooperation in economic, trade and investment sectors, renewable energy and technology. The UAE Foreign Ministry also said Sheikh Abdullah congratulated Cyprus on assuming the presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026.
EU Cooperation and Regional Developments
In Nicosia, the UAE Foreign Ministry said the meeting also addressed UAE-European cooperation, with specific reference to Cyprus holding the EU Council presidency in 2026. The ministry said both sides underscored the importance of UAE-EU relations and described ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation and constructive dialogue to broaden partnerships across sectors. It added that the discussion linked expanded cooperation to shared interests and to supporting peace, stability and prosperity at regional and global levels.
The UAE Foreign Ministry said the talks combined a review of regional developments with a focus on strengthening practical cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Nicosia. It described the visit as part of sustained high-level engagement that has broadened the agenda from political coordination to sector-by-sector cooperation, including energy and investment. The ministry said both sides emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and partnership-building as they work within existing frameworks and shared priorities. – By Content Syndication Services.