Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates
11/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/12/2025 03:48
HE Lana Zaki Nusseibeh Leads Delegation to Cyprus to Strengthen Strategic Partnerships
Her Excellency Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State, concluded an official visit to Nicosia, during which she met with a number of senior Cypriot officials.
The visit reaffirmed the close ties between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Cyprus, and underscored both countries' commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership across various fields.
During the visit, Her Excellency met with His Excellency Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus; His Excellency Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Her Excellency Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European Affairs; and Her Excellency Thessalia Salina Shambos, Special Representative for Religious Freedoms and the Protection of Minorities in the Middle East.
The meeting with His Excellency Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, provided an opportunity to discuss strategic relations between the UAE and Cyprus, regional developments, the Amalthea Maritime Corridor, and Cyprus's upcoming Presidency of the European Union in 2026.
During the meeting with His Excellency Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, the two sides discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, including developments in the Middle East and the recent agreement to implement a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Both sides emphasized the importance of all parties adhering to the ceasefire to help end humanitarian suffering and ensure the rapid, effective, and secure delivery of aid to Gaza's residents without obstruction.
Her Excellency also visited the Port of Limassol to review the facilities of the Cyprus Maritime Corridor Amalthea, a humanitarian initiative launched in March 2024 by Cyprus in cooperation with the UAE and international partners, including the United Nations, World Central Kitchen, and ANERA, to facilitate the delivery of aid to Gaza. In April 2024, the UAE contributed USD 15 million to support the Amalthea Fund. As of November 2025, the initiative has delivered over 27,000 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
His Excellency HE Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kombos underlined that "the UAE is a regional pioneer, guided by visionary leadership." He further added "the UAE is a strategic ally and
a longstanding friend. Cyprus and the UAE share a mutual desire to strengthen our bilateral cooperation across humanitarian, economic, and multilateral fields."
From her side, Her Excellency Nusseibeh underscored that the UAE's humanitarian diplomacy, from delivering aid in Gaza through the Amalthea Maritime Corridor, to supporting communities in Sudan and Ukraine, embodies the nation's values of solidarity and international cooperation. She welcomed the progress of the UAE-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and highlighted that Cyprus' forthcoming EU Presidency offers an opportunity to expand this partnership and jointly advance peace, recovery, and prosperity across the region."
The visit reaffirmed the close ties between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Cyprus, and underscored both countries' commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership across various fields.
During the visit, Her Excellency met with His Excellency Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus; His Excellency Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Her Excellency Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European Affairs; and Her Excellency Thessalia Salina Shambos, Special Representative for Religious Freedoms and the Protection of Minorities in the Middle East.
The meeting with His Excellency Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, provided an opportunity to discuss strategic relations between the UAE and Cyprus, regional developments, the Amalthea Maritime Corridor, and Cyprus's upcoming Presidency of the European Union in 2026.
During the meeting with His Excellency Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, the two sides discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, including developments in the Middle East and the recent agreement to implement a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Both sides emphasized the importance of all parties adhering to the ceasefire to help end humanitarian suffering and ensure the rapid, effective, and secure delivery of aid to Gaza's residents without obstruction.
Her Excellency also visited the Port of Limassol to review the facilities of the Cyprus Maritime Corridor Amalthea, a humanitarian initiative launched in March 2024 by Cyprus in cooperation with the UAE and international partners, including the United Nations, World Central Kitchen, and ANERA, to facilitate the delivery of aid to Gaza. In April 2024, the UAE contributed USD 15 million to support the Amalthea Fund. As of November 2025, the initiative has delivered over 27,000 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
His Excellency HE Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kombos underlined that "the UAE is a regional pioneer, guided by visionary leadership." He further added "the UAE is a strategic ally and
a longstanding friend. Cyprus and the UAE share a mutual desire to strengthen our bilateral cooperation across humanitarian, economic, and multilateral fields."
From her side, Her Excellency Nusseibeh underscored that the UAE's humanitarian diplomacy, from delivering aid in Gaza through the Amalthea Maritime Corridor, to supporting communities in Sudan and Ukraine, embodies the nation's values of solidarity and international cooperation. She welcomed the progress of the UAE-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and highlighted that Cyprus' forthcoming EU Presidency offers an opportunity to expand this partnership and jointly advance peace, recovery, and prosperity across the region."
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