ATHENS, Greece / AsiaWire.IO / – His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has touched down in Athens to kick off 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. This visit is at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Sheikh Khaled is slated to engage in important discussions with the Prime Minister during his stay.
This trip commemorates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Greece, established in 1976. Over the past five decades, the relationship has evolved into a broad strategic alliance, encompassing sectors such as the economy, investment, energy, and technology. Additionally, collaboration in fields like artificial intelligence, advanced technology, clean energy, and digital infrastructure is increasingly becoming a focal point for strengthening bilateral ties.
Accompanying Sheikh Khaled is a distinguished delegation of officials, including 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 also part of this official group.
Senior government officials and ministers join the delegation
The delegation features Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade. Also traveling with Sheikh Khaled are Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment, and Ghanem Sultan Alsuwaidi, Advisor of Security Affairs at the Crown Prince Court. The visit also includes 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.
Joining the group is Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince. Maryam Eid AlMheiri, Chairperson of Abu Dhabi Media Office and Advisor of Strategic Relations at the Crown Prince Court, is also present. Completing the delegation is Dr Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic. The team’s expertise spans defense, trade, investment, culture, health, and media sectors.
Investopia forum coincides with the official visit
The Investopia Mediterranean – Athens event is taking place concurrently with Sheikh Khaled’s visit. This forum aims to bolster economic and investment partnerships between the UAE and Greece, serving as a platform for government officials and business leaders to explore new avenues of collaboration. Key topics at the event include food security, logistics, and supply chain management.
This visit follows a series of high-level engagements earlier this year between the two nations. In May, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan hosted Mitsotakis for discussions in Abu Dhabi. The talks focused on areas such as the economy, investment, technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, sustainability, infrastructure, and culture. Sheikh Mohamed and Mitsotakis also maintained several phone conversations throughout 2026 to reinforce their bilateral relations.