ATHENS, Greece / AsiaWire.IO / – Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has commenced an official visit to Greece following his arrival in Athens. He was greeted by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis at Athens International Airport. The visit was extended at the invitation of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with whom Sheikh Khaled is anticipated to hold significant discussions. The focus of the trip is on broadening bilateral collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
The year 2023 marks fifty years of diplomatic ties between the UAE and Greece, established in 1976. Over the decades, their relationship has evolved from traditional diplomatic exchanges into a comprehensive strategic alliance. This partnership now encompasses sectors such as the economy, investments, energy, and technology. Emerging fields like artificial intelligence, cutting-edge technology, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure are increasingly becoming areas of joint effort between the two nations.
Accompanying the Crown Prince is a sizable official delegation. Among its members is Major General Pilot Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces. Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, who is the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, is also part of the group. Additionally, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, has joined the delegation.
Delegation Includes Representatives from Trade, Culture, and Healthcare
The visiting group features UAE ministers such as Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade. Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment, and Ghanem Sultan Alsuwaidi, Advisor of Security Affairs at the Crown Prince Court, are also present. Sheikh Khaled is accompanied by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.
Additional members include Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince. Maryam Eid AlMheiri, Chairperson of Abu Dhabi Media Office and Advisor of Strategic Relations at the Crown Prince Court, is also attending. The official party is completed by Dr Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic.
Business Forum Strengthens UAE-Greece Economic Ties
Investopia Mediterranean – Athens is taking place concurrently with the official visit. The event aims to bolster economic and investment collaboration between the two nations. It gathers government officials and business leaders to identify new partnership opportunities. Key sectors include food security, logistics, supply chains, and investments geared toward boosting competitiveness and sustainable development.
This visit to Athens extends the ongoing close relations between the leaders of the UAE and Greece. In May, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan hosted Mitsotakis for high-level talks in Abu Dhabi. Discussions covered areas such as the economy, investment, technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, sustainability, infrastructure, and culture. The two leaders have also maintained communication through several phone conversations this year.