In a renewed demonstration of the deepening partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Cyprus, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, held a telephone conversation to review bilateral cooperation and explore further opportunities for collaboration across economic and development-focused sectors. During their exchange, the two leaders discussed a range of regional and international matters of shared concern, with particular attention to ongoing developments in the Middle East. They welcomed the recent agreement to implement a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, stressing the need for all parties to uphold the truce to alleviate humanitarian suffering. Both leaders underscored the urgency of ensuring the swift, secure, and unimpeded delivery of aid to civilians in the enclave. President Sheikh Mohamed and President Christodoulides also expressed their shared view that the ceasefire should serve as a foundation for renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace. They reiterated their support for a two-state solution as the only viable path towards regional stability and prosperity, benefiting all peoples and nations in the Middle East.
This followed by a visit of Cyprus’ Minister of Energy, George Papanastasiou, with the UAE Minister of Economy, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, in Dubai on 15th October, 2025, Wednesday. The talks took place on the sidelines of GITEX Global 2025, where Cyprus is participating with a national pavilion featuring 14 leading Cypriot technology firms. According to the Cypriot Ministry of Energy, the meeting highlighted the two nations’ shared commitment to expanding bilateral economic ties and fostering greater investment cooperation. Minister Al Marri praised Cyprus’ role as a dependable partner in the region and reiterated the UAE’s readiness to provide support in further strengthening these relations.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the announcement of plans to establish the Cyprus Business Council, to be based in Dubai. Comprising Cypriot enterprises operating in the Emirates, the Council will serve as a hub for promoting trade and investment between the two nations. Its founding members are expected to sign the statute during a formal ceremony at the Doers Summit in Dubai, scheduled for 26–27 November. Minister Papanastasiou also briefed his UAE counterpart on Cyprus’ forthcoming EU Council Presidency, set to begin on 1 January 2026, outlining the nation’s main priorities in energy, trade, and industrial policy. Discussions further touched upon the potential for a broader trade agreement between the European Union and the UAE, a subject of mutual strategic interest.
The Cypriot minister used the occasion to present several major national projects, including the Technology Park, Paphos Marina, and various energy interconnection and infrastructure initiatives designed to enhance regional cooperation. He also highlighted Cyprus’ strong partnership with Egypt, describing it as an anchor of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Minister Al Marri, for his part, noted the growing enthusiasm among UAE companies to expand operations in Cyprus. He briefed Papanastasiou on preparations for the upcoming Investopia Conference in Athens, where discussions will centre on the future of energy and artificial intelligence data centres. “Without energy, there cannot be the development of new digital technology,” Al Marri remarked, underlining the crucial link between the energy transition and technological progress. Both ministers agreed to reconvene in November during the Doers Summit, which will coincide with the inaugural general assembly of the Cyprus Business Council — marking another significant step in the evolving partnership between the UAE and Cyprus.
