Minister of Foreign Affairs, N. Kotzias, meets with UAE Minister of State, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber (New York, 19.09.2017)

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Kotzias, met on Tuesday 19 September, with the Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, on the margins of the High-Level Week of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly, in New York.

During the meeting, which took place in a warm atmosphere, they considered the prospects for upgrading the bilateral economic and trade cooperation, including the attraction of new investments to Greece in sectors such as energy, tourism and construction, as well as in the sectors of culture and education.

Also touched upon were issues of regional interest, such as the situation in the Balkans and developments in the Middle East and, specifically, as regards the crisis among the Gulf states. The two sides agreed to intensify their bilateral consultations on these issues, on the level of competent Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ directorates. UAE-EU relations were also discussed, with Mr. Kotzias making assurances that Greece will contribute in the direction of strengthening these relations.

Finally, the Minister of Foreign Affairs briefed his interlocutor on Greece’s initiatives for the promotion of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, requesting that an invitation be conveyed to the UAE Foreign Minister, to participate in the 2nd International Conference on Religious and Cultural Pluralism and Peaceful Coexistence in the Middle East, which will take place in Athens at the end of October.

September 19, 2017