Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, following his meeting with UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Abu Dhabi, 18 December 2019)

N. DENDIAS: Today I had a very interesting and extended meeting and exchange of views with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. It was our third meeting in the space of a few months, and of course, as you would expect, the subject of our talks was the analysis of the impacts of the two memoranda signed by Turkey and the government in Tripoli. And I was very pleased to find that the United Arab Emirates shares our concerns. As you are well aware, the United Arab Emirates is an important player in the region. Not just in the Gulf region, but in our wider region and in the Arab world. This is why its views are so important. We agreed to continue to exchange views and to coordinate our actions.

REPORTER: Minister, in spite of the fact that there was disapproval of the two memoranda signed by Turkey, I would like to ask: Based on the results of the meetings you have had in recent days with your foreign counterparts, what is your assessment of Turkey’s threat that it will not only implement the two memoranda but that it will expedite their implementation?

N. DENDIAS: Turkey has got into the habit of making threats of late. In reality, the only one it is threatening is itself. Because through these threats and this conduct it is showing the international community what we would rather weren’t true: that Turkey is the troublemaker in the region. Turkey is making a serious mistake if it thinks it will see beneficial results from this conduct. I think it has taken a path that doesn't lead to a happy outcome.

Thank you.