Sheikh Abdullah promises closer ties between UAE and Greece



Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Foreign Minister, met the president of Greece in Athens yesterday and said relations between the countries will continue to improve. Sheikh Abdullah told Karolos Papoulias that he anticipated greater co-operation between the nations, "especially in the fields of navigation and shipbuilding", according to WAM, the state news agency.

Dr Papoulias said his country "was keen to further bolster relations with the UAE". Greece is undergoing what the president described as "an acute and sensitive economic downturn". During his visit, Sheikh Abdullah also signed a memorandum of understanding with Dimitris Droutsas, the acting Greek minister of foreign affairs, promising "political consultations" between the foreign ministries of both countries.

Mr Droutsas said he expected "enhanced trade and economic co-operation". @Email:hkhalaf@thenational.ae