Abu Dhabi [UAE] Abdulla Balalaa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability of the United Arab Emirates, visited Greece from June 18 to 20 to participate in the inaugural Athens Riviera Summit 2024 in the Greek capital.
He participated in a panel titled 'Ministerial Dialogue-Investing in Energy Security: Strategic Energy Partnerships, the Path to the Green Transition and Effective Economic Cooperation in Unstable Times' with Theodoros Skylakakis, Minister of Environment and Energy of Greece.
During the panel, Balalaa discussed the important international role the UAE plays in the energy sector, from traditional resources such as oil and gas to renewable energy. He also referred to the important role that Greece plays, as a strategic partner of the United Arab Emirates and as a global player in energy security.
On the sidelines of the summit, Balalaa met with Skylakakis, Alexandra Sdoukou, Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Petros Varelidis, Secretary General of Natural Environment and Water of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and Maira Myrogianni, Secretary General of Economic Affairs International. , Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic.
During the meetings, Balalaa expressed his gratitude to Greece for its participation and support for COP28. He also invited the country to participate in the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, which aims to encourage all entities in all countries to improve water desalination technologies. He also discussed ways to cooperate in the energy sector, as well as other sectors such as climate and food security.
During the visit, a major agreement was announced between the GEK Terna group of companies and Masdar, an Emirati-owned renewable energy company, marking one of the largest commercial agreements in the history of the Athens Stock Exchange, valued at 3.2 billion euros. Dr Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Greece, said: "This visit and this agreement illustrate the importance of Greece to the UAE, not only in the field of energy but also as a comprehensive strategic partner."
He participated in a panel titled 'Ministerial Dialogue-Investing in Energy Security: Strategic Energy Partnerships, the Path to the Green Transition and Effective Economic Cooperation in Unstable Times' with Theodoros Skylakakis, Minister of Environment and Energy of Greece.
During the panel, Balalaa discussed the important international role the UAE plays in the energy sector, from traditional resources such as oil and gas to renewable energy. He also referred to the important role that Greece plays, as a strategic partner of the United Arab Emirates and as a global player in energy security.
On the sidelines of the summit, Balalaa met with Skylakakis, Alexandra Sdoukou, Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Petros Varelidis, Secretary General of Natural Environment and Water of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and Maira Myrogianni, Secretary General of Economic Affairs International. , Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic.
During the meetings, Balalaa expressed his gratitude to Greece for its participation and support for COP28. He also invited the country to participate in the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, which aims to encourage all entities in all countries to improve water desalination technologies. He also discussed ways to cooperate in the energy sector, as well as other sectors such as climate and food security.
During the visit, a major agreement was announced between the GEK Terna group of companies and Masdar, an Emirati-owned renewable energy company, marking one of the largest commercial agreements in the history of the Athens Stock Exchange, valued at 3.2 billion euros. Dr Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Greece, said: "This visit and this agreement illustrate the importance of Greece to the UAE, not only in the field of energy but also as a comprehensive strategic partner."
