UAE Cyprus Relations Grow As Cyprus Assumes EU Council Presidency

Representing President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh attended a ceremony in Nicosia on 7 January 2026, where the Republic of Cyprus formally assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, highlighting the growing depth of UAE-EU and UAE-Cyprus relations.

During the event, Lana Nusseibeh delivered greetings from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Cypriot leadership, congratulating Cyprus on taking over the Council of the EU Presidency and extending best wishes for continued prosperity.

Lana Nusseibeh stressed the long-term nature of ties between the UAE and Cyprus, describing them as strategic and multifaceted, and underscored Cyprus’ position as a trusted partner for the UAE in Europe, particularly in encouraging dialogue and cooperation across the Mediterranean basin and the broader European region.

She also noted that her participation in the ceremony built on the momentum of the visit by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Cyprus in December 2025, the first visit by a UAE President, which demonstrated the intention of both governments to raise their partnership to a more ambitious level.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her speech at the ceremony to highlight the operational role of Cyprus in Gaza relief efforts, pointing to "Cyprus's vital role in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza", including cooperation with the UAE through the ‘Amalthea’ maritime corridor initiated by Nicosia.

Von der Leyen added that the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU created a favourable moment to enhance collaboration between the UAE and the EU, especially in areas linked to stability, development, and prosperity, with the shared goal of supporting regional security structures and economic partnerships.

UAE Cyprus EU relations and trade, diplomacy

The focus on UAE-EU ties was reinforced by European Council President Antonio Costa, who referred to the "impressive progress" in trade negotiations with the United Arab Emirates, and underlined that the European Union was keen to finalise an agreement with the UAE to benefit communities on both sides.

Across her two-day programme in Nicosia, Lana Nusseibeh held wide-ranging talks with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and Deputy Foreign Minister Marilena Raouna, covering expanded economic engagement, humanitarian cooperation, regional developments, and multilateral coordination, and also met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to review bilateral relations and regional issues.

Her official delegation included Mohammed Saif Helal Mohammed Alshehhi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus, and Mohamed Al Sahlawi, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the European Union, underlining the broader diplomatic framework supporting the UAE’s engagement with Cyprus and EU institutions.

With inputs from WAM