Cyprus and Italy agree to further strengthen bilateral ties (pics)

Cyprus and Italy decided on a specific road map to further strengthen the two countries' bilateral ties, during President Nikos Christodoulides' visit to Rome this week.

The president met with his counterpart Sergio Mattarella and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, telling a press conference after that the meetings were productive and substantive.

He spoke of the historical ties between the two countries, being Mediterranean states with common challenges such as migration.

President Christodoulides said that they agreed with Meloni to work on the basis of a road map in the immediate future with the aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

He said that he was briefed by the Prime Minister on migration influxes and some initiatives Italy is undertaking as regards asylum seekers and the situation in Syria.

Energy was also on the agenda, and the President said that Meloni was in contact with the President of ENI and knows of the drillings in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

President Christodoulides said that Italy supports Nicosia’s proposal for Gaza and that Meloni presented two ideas for a more active involvement by Italy.

Discussions were also made on EU issues and the two sides agreed to stay in touch. President Christodoulides said both Mattarella and Meloni accepted his invitation to visit Cyprus.

He said that the last time an Italian Premier visited the island was 33 years ago while it will be the first time an Italian President will visit Cyprus.

Speaking during his meeting with Mattarella earlier, the President said that 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the accession of Cyprus to the EU which is the most historic, the most important moment in the history of the Republic of Cyprus. He took the opportunity to extend an invitation to his Italian counterpart to visit the island.

President Christodoulides will also visit the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City on 24 November, where he will be welcomed by the Swiss Guards and meet Pope Francis. The Cypriot delegation accompanying him will join them later.

Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said that there is a dual symbolism in the visit, since it is the first meeting of the President of the Republic with the head of the Roman Catholic Church and it is being held on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Holy See.

The President is expected to express Cyprus' determination to move on with pending agreements concerning health, education, cultural and museum cooperation.

President Christodoulides will also refer to the destruction of cultural and religious heritage in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, including Catholic monuments.

Later he is set to meet with the Prime Minister and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Holy See.

After that, he will visit the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta, where he will be officially received by the Grand Master and the Order’s Foreign Minister. After the meeting, a postal agreement will be signed by Cyprus’ Foreign Minister and the Order’s Finance Minister.

The Grand Master will host an official banquet for the President of Cyprus and the Cypriot delegation before their departure.

(Photos: PIO)