ABU DHABI, June 22, 2024 (WAM) – Abdulla Balalaa, UAE’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, recently concluded a visit to Greece where he participated in the inaugural Athens Riviera Summit 2024. The summit, held in Athens from June 18-20, featured discussions on energy security, green transition, and economic cooperation amid global instability.
Balalaa engaged in a panel titled ‘Ministerial Dialogue – Investing in Energy Security’, alongside Theodoros Skylakakis, Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy. Highlighting the UAE’s pivotal role in the global energy sector—from traditional resources like oil and gas to renewable energy—Balalaa underscored Greece’s strategic importance as both a partner and a leader in energy security.
Alongside summit proceedings, Balalaa held discussions with key Greek officials including Skylakakis, Alexandra Sdoukou, Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, and other ministry representatives. Topics ranged from Greece’s support for COP28 to collaborations in water desalination technologies under the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative.
A significant outcome of the visit was the announcement of a major agreement between Greece’s GEK Terna Group of Companies and Masdar, a UAE-based renewable energy firm. Valued at 3.2 billion euros, this agreement marks a historic milestone on the Athens Stock Exchange and underscores the deepening economic ties between the two nations.
Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Greece, commented on the visit, highlighting Greece’s comprehensive strategic partnership with the UAE beyond energy cooperation.
