Joint statement between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi, December 15, 2025 – His Excellency Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, welcomed His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” on the occasion of the official visit made by His Highness to the Republic of Cyprus on December 14, 2025.

The visit of His Highness the President of the State to the Republic of Cyprus is the first of its kind made by a President of the UAE to Cyprus, which is considered a prominent historical milestone that reflects the depth of the strategic relations between Cyprus and the UAE.

This visit confirms a joint commitment to advance this strategic partnership within an ambitious framework that is based on the future and includes key sectors, focusing primarily on trade, investment, cooperation in the field of energy, and enhancing connectivity and integration.

The two sides welcomed the close cooperation existing between the two countries, and agreed to prepare a joint action plan aimed at consolidating bilateral cooperation and supporting the implementation of new projects under the supervision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.

As part of efforts to consolidate cooperation, the two sides welcomed the high-level official delegation from the business sector in the UAE, and the business roundtable meeting between the UAE and Cyprus, which aims to enhance strategic opportunities in the fields of trade and investment.

The two sides discussed investment opportunities in the public and private sectors, in addition to joint projects in a number of fields, including cooperation in the field of energy, including renewable energy, enhancing communication, defense, major infrastructure projects, the shipping sector, and maritime cooperation.

His Excellency President Christodoulides provided a comprehensive briefing on the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026, including the goal of focusing on the Southern Neighborhood of the European Union and strengthening EU relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The Second Investment and Finance Forum in Abu Dhabi, which was held on December 11, 2025, in addition to the upcoming energy conference, provides mutually beneficial investment opportunities that contribute to enhancing economic diversification through trade in energy and the development of clean technology.

The two sides also agreed on a set of common priorities aimed at strengthening and consolidating relations between the European Union and the UAE.

Cyprus and the UAE stressed their firm commitment to resuming United Nations efforts to achieve a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue, on the basis of a bi-regional, bi-communal federal union that enjoys political equality, and in accordance with the frameworks agreed upon by the United Nations and the relevant Security Council resolutions. The UAE also stressed the importance of preserving the independence, sovereignty, integrity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus also renewed its principled support for the sovereignty of the UAE, especially with regard to the issue of the three islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa. The two sides highlighted the joint statement of the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council issued in October 2024, and the joint ministerial statement of the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council issued in October 2025, calling on Iran to end its occupation of the three islands belonging to the UAE, which constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of the UAE and the principles of the United Nations Charter. The two sides also renewed their support for reaching a peaceful solution to this dispute through bilateral negotiations or resorting to the International Court of Justice, in accordance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

The two sides also stressed the importance of the Amalthea sea corridor, which was established through close cooperation between the UAE and Cyprus, as an essential lifeline for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. They also agreed to continue close cooperation with international and regional partners in line with the UN Coordinated Mechanism 2720, to ensure the sustainability and expansion of sea corridor operations in support of the next phase of President Trump’s comprehensive peace plan aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza.

The two sides also welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2803, and stressed the importance of all parties’ commitment to a ceasefire with the aim of alleviating human suffering and creating conditions conducive to achieving lasting peace.

The two leaders also renewed their joint commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state, based on the borders of June 4, 1967, and in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions and international law.

The two sides stressed their categorical rejection of any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land, and emphasized the necessity of full commitment to US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza, including the provisions related to the Rafah crossing.

The two sides expressed their concern about the spread of extremism and extremist ideologies that fuel terrorism and fuel conflict. The two sides also affirmed their commitment to confronting hate speech, extremism, and racism by promoting the values ​​of tolerance and interreligious and intercultural dialogue, in line with UN Security Council Resolution No. 2686. In this regard, the two sides affirmed their categorical rejection of extremism in all its forms. His Excellency President Christodoulides referred to Cyprus’ efforts to establish an Institute of Religions for Peaceful Coexistence with the aim of promoting tolerance and dialogue between religions and sects.

The two sides also stressed the need to reach a humanitarian truce in Sudan to alleviate the suffering of civilians. They stressed the importance of immediately reducing the escalation, protecting civilians, ensuring unhindered and urgent access of humanitarian aid to all parts of Sudan, and the need to hold those responsible for the crimes committed accountable. The two sides also affirmed their firm support for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. They also welcomed the efforts of the Quartet, which includes the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, and agreed to participate continuously and effectively and support the efforts of the Quartet and the European Union to achieve an immediate ceasefire, facilitate humanitarian access, and achieve a comprehensive and transparent transitional process that paves the way towards the formation of an independent, civilian-led government that enjoys legitimacy and comprehensive accountability.

The two presidents also discussed the war in Ukraine, and reaffirmed their firm support for achieving a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter. They also highlighted the importance of humanitarian aid and pointed to the role of the UAE and Cyprus in promoting dialogue and contributing to supporting relief efforts. The two sides also referred to the UAE’s efforts to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and the sustainable support that Cyprus provides to Ukraine. They also discussed ways to enhance cooperation to support recovery efforts in Ukraine.

This joint statement confirms the strategic partnership between the Republic of Cyprus and the UAE, as the two sides welcomed the progress made in enhancing bilateral cooperation and discovering areas of cooperation in a number of sectors, including: trade, investment, energy, political dialogue, tourism, culture, defence, education, maritime transport and major infrastructure projects.

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