The UAE and Greece recently participated in their second Strategic Cooperation Forum wherein they discussed various ways to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries and boost cooperation in key areas of mutual interest. The virtual UAE-Greece Strategic Cooperation Forum was jointly chaired by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Adonis Georgiadis, Greece’s Minister of Development and Investments.

During the meeting, the participants held discussions through ministerial and subcommittee tracks on crucial areas of political cooperation and international humanitarian development, culture, digital cooperation, trade and investment, energy, and agriculture between the two countries.

The UAE's ministerial delegation included the participation of Minister of Health and Prevention Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad Al Owais; Minister of Culture and Youth Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi; Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy; Minister of State for Government Development and the Future Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi; Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi; and Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.

On the other hand, the subcommittee track was headed by top officials from both the UAE and Greece, along with the participation of over 70 representatives from the public and private sectors of both countries.

Ministers from both sides also signed several bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding in fields of small and medium-sized enterprises and innovation, international cooperation, digital cooperation, cultural and creative industries. During the meeting, the participants also launched the UAE-Greece Joint Action Plan for Tourism (2020-2022).

Furthermore, UAE-based Eagle Hills and Greece-based TEMES agreed on a plan to jointly develop 1.8 million square metres of land in the eastern Messinia region in Greece. With an estimated investment of at least EUR500 million, the plan includes mixed-use resort hotel concepts, entertainment, signature sports and recreation facilities, and golf course offering and a themed community of second-home properties.

Speaking at the occasion, UAE minister Dr. Al Jaber emphasised on the forum's agenda under "the directives of the leadership of the two countries to advance their bilateral ties to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership". He further stated that the decision to hold the second edition of the forum to advance UAE-Greek cooperation virtually was taken after the success of the forum’s first edition in Athens.

The UAE Minister went on to assert that forum was held virtually to boost the interaction between the representatives of the two countries in the wake of the ongoing situation due to Coronavirus pandemic.

The first edition of the UAE-Greece Strategic Cooperation Forum was successfully convened in last February in Athens with the participation of senior UAE officials headed by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber. He was received by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion in Athens ahead of the first edition of the forum.

WAM