Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos held a “substantive discussion” with his United Arab Emirates counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the developments in the region, he wrote in a post on X on Friday.

“I reiterated Cyprus’ steadfast solidarity, in the face of the indiscriminate and unjustifiable attacks against the United Arab Emirates and our Gulf partners,” he said.

During their meeting, the ministers discussed the strategic partnership between Cyprus and the UAE, as well as ways to enhance cooperation sectors supportive of common interests including economy, the investment sector and trade.

“Diplomacy and dialogue are the only viable path to de-escalation and stability,” Kombos said.

The ministers addressed the repercussions of “Iran’s unprovoked and terrorist missile attacks” that targeted the UAE and a number of “brotherly and friendly countries”.

During the meeting Bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE’s “full solidarity with the Republic of Cyprus” and highlighted the strong bilateral ties.

He emphasised that the UAE aimed to expand its cooperation with the Republic, and highlighted the cooperation with the European Union, of which Cyprus is currently holding the presidency.