German President in Cyprus in February to discuss wind energy production

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will be in Cyprus in February to meet with officials and attend an international symposium on wind energy production, according to Deputy Chief of Mission of the German Embassy to Nicosia Dirk Roland Haupt.

The news was announced by Haupt during the German Christmas Gala Dinner of the Cyprus German Business Association (CGBA) that was held on 6 December at the Columbia Plaza in Limassol; and during which €2,000 was donated to the Cyprus Autism Association.

CGBA President Stefan Nolte told CBN that during his speech at the gala, Haupt spoke about the current effort of the governments of Cyprus and Germany to enhance cooperation between the two countries. “And we will see the first outcome of this on the 12th and 13th of February. During those days, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany will be on an official visit in the Republic of Cyprus, meeting the President of Cyprus Mr (Nikos) Christodoulides and the ministers in various different meetings,” he said.

This, according to Nolte, will be followed by an international symposium entitled “Offshore Wind Energy” that will be held on 13 and 14 February in Limassol.

Stefan Nolte

“This symposium is co-organised by the German Embassy in Cyprus, the World Forum Offshore Wind company (WFO) and CGBA. And the event is supported by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany,” said Nolte.

The symposium is also going to be attended by the CEOs of German wind energy giants as well as academics from universities, “who have interesting work in this area, studies and researches”, according to Nolte.

“Most importantly, the opening speech of our symposium will be delivered by the German President, which is a big honour for us,” he added.

The CGBA president said the aim of the symposium is “to bring this, in a prominent way, to the general agenda of the Republic of Cyprus; for wind energy production to enter the public discussion”.

So far, nobody knows if it will be viable to build an offshore wind farm in Cyprus, as the relevant studies need to be carried out. But as Nolte pointed out, it is still very promising.

The CGBA’s Christmas Gala was also attended by the new president of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Stavros Stavrou, in his first public appearance since being elected.

“We are very happy that the just recently-elected president of CCCI, Stavros Stavrou, honoured our gala dinner with his presence and he also made a speech,” said Nolte.

In his own speech, the CGBA president extended his gratitude to the CCCI “for years of close cooperation”, as well as Haupt, who he said has elevated the association’s relationship with the Embassy. “No one has supported the work of CGBA like Mr Haupt.”

(Main photo: Deputy Chief of Mission of the German Embassy to Nicosia Dirk Roland Haupt, Source: CGBA)