Cyprus-Netherlands to enhance bilateral relations President and King pledge

Enhancing bilateral relations is on top of the agenda of the discussions between President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides and the King of Netherlands, Willem-Alexander who is in Cyprus with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands for a state visit.

Welcoming the royal couple, on the morning of 4 March at the Presidential Palace, President Christodoulides said “we are delighted and honoured to have you in the first ever visit of the Royal family, the King and Queen of Netherlands to Cyprus, thank you very much for  accepting my personal invitation during our meeting at the Hague in February 2024”.

The President said “there is much that brings us together and I look forward to our discussions for very important issues for our countries, for our citizens, from education to agriculture, migration, issues of our common European Union agenda and of course archaeology where we are proud to have a mission from Leiden University, in Paphos."

In recognition of this historic visit, the President said, he bestowed on the royal couple “on behalf of the people of Cyprus, the highest decoration of the Republic of Cyprus and some gifts, especially designed to honour the rich heritage and culture of Cyprus.”

Replying, King Alexander thanked the President for the “very warm welcome” at the Presidential Palace and said the visit comes “much too late” since the Republic of Cyprus was established in 1960.

However, “we are very glad and honoured that we are here today”, he added, noting the importance that Netherlands attaches to Cyprus “and the role you play here in the Eastern Mediterranean. You are the most southeastern tip of the EU and therefore a very valued partner in a volatile region”.

King Willem-Alexander said, “we lean on you often in moments of need of evacuation, but also to understand this region we need you, therefore I think it is very good to enhance further bilateral relations as bilateral partners and as EU partners during this visit.”

Also read: King and Queen of the Netherlands meet with President Christodoulides, First Lady (pics)

Also read: The King and Queen of The Netherlands in Cyprus for a state visit

(Sources: CNA/PIO)