Abdullah bin Zayed reviews bilateral relations with Cypriot counterpart
Date
7/12/2016 8:46:39 AM
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
NICOSIA, 12th July, 2016 (WAM) -- Speaking at a news conference in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, yesterday expressed his delight at the official opening of the permanent headquarters of the UAE Embassy in Cyprus, saying that it is another step forward in developing bilateral relations between the two countries.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah added that UAE-Cypriot relations continue to develop in various ways including in the economic, trade, tourism and aviation fields.
Sheikh Abdullah also thanked Cyprus for being the first member of the European Union to support efforts to exempt UAE nationals from the Schengen visa, noting that the UAE was the first Arab country to receive the privilege.
He said, "Since my last visit to Cyprus and until this day, bilateral relations between our countries have been heading in the right direction." The UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs also expressed pride on behalf of the UAE government for Dubai Ports, DP World, landing the opportunity to manage large-scale projects in Cyprus, highlighting their confidence with its services.
Meanwhile, in a meeting held at the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry of Cyprus, Sheikh Abdullah and Cypriot Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, met to discuss bilateral relations and ways of boosting them in various fields. They also exchanged political views and positions regarding a number of regional and international issues of common concern.
The UAE Minister stressed the importance of such exchange visits between UAE and Cypriot officials, within the framework of boosting bilateral cooperation and reviewing developmental programmes, as well as the levels of progress and development in the two countries. He also stressed the keenness of the UAE to bolster its cooperation with Cyprus.
Mr. Kasoulides commended the developments witnessed by the UAE in all fields, stressing his country's keenness to strengthen the bonds of relations with the UAE.
He also praised the UAE for being an influential moderate diplomatic force, and for its prominent role in the Arab and Islamic world, the region, and beyond.
The Cypriot Minister reiterated the importance of cooperation in combatting extremism and terrorism in various moderate countries in the region. "There is a strong determination by both our countries to cooperate not only on the bilateral level, but also on the political level in our region, especially in light of the recent increase in terrorist activities by Daesh and other organisations."
WAM/Rasha/Moran