Abdullah opens UAE embassy in Cyprus

 The new UAE Embassy headquarters in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, was opened by Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus, on Monday. They raised the UAE flag outside the building and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark its official opening.
Speaking on the occasion, Shaikh Abdullah said that the opening of the embassy demonstrates the UAE Government's interest and confidence in Cyprus, and the need to move forward in developing bilateral relations. He noted that UAE-Cypriot relations continues to develop in economy, trade, tourism and aviation.
President Anastasiades, in turn, said the new embassy would help support communication between the two countries and maintain their strong and distinguished bilateral relations.
Cyprus is one of the first countries in the EU to express full support for exempting all UAE Nationals from Schengen visa requirements, the first Arab country to receive the privilege, while Dubai Ports' DP World has landed the opportunity to manage large-scale projects in Cyprus.
Abdulawahab Nasser Al Najjar has been appointed the first UAE Ambassador to Cyprus.
Joining hands to combat terror
At the Foreign Ministry of Cyprus, Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides met to discuss bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common concern. Exchanging political views, Kasoulides also praised the UAE for being an "influential moderate diplomatic force", and for its prominent role in the Arab and Islamic world, the region, and beyond.
The Cypriot Minister reiterated the importance of cooperation between the two countries in combating extremism and terrorism.
"Our countries are determined to cooperate not only on the bilateral level, but also on the political level in our region, especially in light of the recent increase in terrorist activities by Daesh and other organisations." - Wam