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The President of the Republic,
Mr Nikos Christodoulides, extended an invitation to the Prime Minister and
the President of the Italian Republic to visit Cyprus. The invitation was
accepted, and, as he stated, an agreement was reached to create a roadmap aimed
at strengthening relations between Cyprus and Italy.
In statements to the media in
Rome, where he conducted a one-day official visit and held separate meetings
with the President of Italy, Mr Sergio Mattarella, and the Prime Minister of
the country, Ms Giorgia Meloni, the President of the Republic said: “I had
two very productive meetings, both with the President of the country, as well
as a lengthy work meeting with the Prime Minister. Cyprus and Italy have much
in common and are linked with historical bonds. Our countries are in the
Mediterranean and we face many common challenges, such as, for example, the
Migration issue, which was a significant subject in our discussions, and we
share many opportunities that need to be seized, such as Energy – this was
the second topic of our discussion. What we have agreed, and in particular
with the Prime Minister, is to work, in the immediate future, on the basis of
a roadmap to strengthen our cooperation, since we have a similar approach to
many issues.”
With regard to the Migration
issue, I was thoroughly briefed by the Prime Minister of Italy on the
initiatives being taken, especially after Tunisia. What has been agreed
between Italy and Albania, namely to proceed in Albania asylum seekers
rescued at international waters, is a new initiative in which we see possible
positive outcomes. We agreed to undertake, on a European level, also with
other countries, an initiative related to the issue of Syria.
At to Energy issues, the Prime
Minister was well-informed on all developments. She is in direct contact with
the CEO of ENI, Mr Descalzi, she knows that a significant drilling is
underway in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus and
that ENI holds participating interests in seven out of the ten licenced
blocks. We have agreed to further promote the importance of the Eastern
Mediterranean, at a European level.
I am also pleased that the
initiative and the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to create a humanitarian
sea corridor is fully supported by the Italian Republic. In fact, the Prime
Minister presented me with two ideas for Italy’s more active involvement -
specifically as to the implementation of the initiative. We will be in
contact in subsequent stages.
We also discussed issues
related to the European Union (EU). There are scheduled elections for the
appointment members of the European Council; there will be a new President of
the Commission, a new President of the Council, and a new President of the Parliament,
as well as a new High Representative. For all these, we agreed to stay in
touch so that we can see how to further strengthen our cooperation since we
face, and we agree on this, the same challenges and we share the same
opportunities.
This roadmap of developments
that we want to see in our bilateral relations will proceed immediately, and
I will be very happy to receive the Prime Minister as well as the President
of Italy – they have accepted my invitation – to Cyprus for a working visit
so that we can discuss all these issues.
Let me remind you that it has
been 33 years since the last two-day visit of the Italian Prime Minister to
Cyprus, and I believe that a visit by the Prime Minister of Italy in 2024
will send a new message as to our common political will to enhance our relations.”
Referring to Mr Mattarella’s visit to Cyprus, President Christodoulides noted
that it would be the first visit to Cyprus by an Italian President.
(ASP/MS)
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