ATHENS, Greece / AsiaWire.IO / – Arriving in Athens, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has begun an official visit to the Hellenic Republic. Upon arrival, he was greeted at Athens International Airport by Greece’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis. The trip is at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Sheikh Khaled is anticipated to engage in significant discussions with Mitsotakis during his stay.
This visit commemorates 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Greece in 1976. Over the past five decades, the relationship has evolved into a broad strategic alliance, covering sectors such as the economy, investment, energy, and technology. Emerging areas like artificial intelligence, advanced technology, clean energy, and digital infrastructure are also becoming focal points for expanding bilateral cooperation.
Sheikh Khaled is accompanied by a distinguished delegation, which includes Major General Pilot Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, is part of the group as well.
Senior officials and ministers join the official delegation
The delegation also features Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade. Traveling with Sheikh Khaled are Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment, and Ghanem Sultan Alsuwaidi, Advisor of Security Affairs at the Crown Prince Court. Additionally, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, are present.
Joining the group are Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince, along with Maryam Eid AlMheiri, Chairperson of Abu Dhabi Media Office and Advisor of Strategic Relations at the Crown Prince Court. Completing the delegation is Dr Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic. The team’s expertise spans defence, trade, investment, culture, health, and media sectors.
Investopia forum coincides with the official visit
The Investopia Mediterranean – Athens event runs parallel to Sheikh Khaled’s visit. The forum aims to bolster economic and investment ties between the UAE and Greece, offering a platform for government officials and business leaders to explore new collaborative ventures. Key opportunities discussed include food security, logistics, and supply chain management.
This visit builds on a series of high-level exchanges between the two nations this year. In May, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan hosted Mitsotakis for talks in Abu Dhabi. These discussions focused on the economy, investment, technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, sustainability, infrastructure, and culture. Throughout 2026, Sheikh Mohamed and Mitsotakis have also maintained communication through several phone calls.