Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates issued a Joint Statement, for the first time, following the working visit of the UAE’s State Minister for Europe, Lana Nusseibeh, to Cyprus on 7 November. In a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is stated that through the Joint Statement, the strategic nature of Cyprus-UAE relations is highlighted, as well as their commitment to promoting a new phase of cooperation at regional and international levels.
‘The Joint Statement outlines the immediate horizon and strategic direction of the relationship between the Republic of Cyprus and the UAE, particularly in view of the Republic of Cyprus assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union this coming January,’ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes.
Furthermore, the Joint Statement records, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the breadth and multidimensional nature of the close cooperation between the two countries, both in a significant number of areas of collaboration and coordination, as well as on key geopolitical issues.
“The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Cyprus reaffirm the depth of their strategic relations and their shared commitment to deepening and expanding bilateral relations, as well as advancing regional stability, cooperation, and sustainable development”, the Statement reads.
According to the Joint Statement, during Nusseibeh’s visit, the two sides reiterated their commitment to the UAE-Cyprus Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, formalised in February 2022, which encompasses cooperation across political consultations, defence and security, energy, trade and investment, tourism and culture, education, science and technology, and maritime transport. The two Ministers “agreed to launch the next phase of implementation – prioritising joint projects in clean energy, digital transformation, and maritime connectivity, alongside a dedicated coordination mechanism to track progress”.
Regarding Gaza, both sides recognized the Amalthea Cyprus Maritime Corridor, established through close UAE-Cyprus coordination, as “a complementary yet vital humanitarian lifeline for the Palestinian people in Gaza” and agreed to continue working closely with international and regional partners in line with the UN2720 coordinated mechanism to sustain and expand the corridor’s operations in support of the next phase of President Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan.
The Ministers also reaffirmed their shared commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the two-State solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and international law.
The two Ministers also reaffirmed their support for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity and agreed to remain actively engaged, in support of Quad (United States, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Egypt) and EU efforts to support an immediate ceasefire, facilitate humanitarian access, and advance an inclusive and transparent transition process that paves the way toward establishing an independent, civilian-led government with broad-based legitimacy and accountability.
According to the Joint Statement, the Ministers also discussed the war in Ukraine and reaffirmed their unwavering support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
The meeting further reviewed opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, digital connectivity, maritime security, and humanitarian response, while reaffirming mutual support ahead of Cyprus’ EU Presidency and upcoming UAE-EU engagements. “Both sides emphasized that the UAE-Cyprus partnership remains a model of constructive regional diplomacy grounded in international law and shared values of stability, development, and humanitarian responsibility”, the Joint Statement concludes.