Day: December 1, 2021

Due to its strategic position, Cyprus is “a very important country for the EU” regardless of its small size, Head of the France – Cyprus Friendship Group in the French National Assembly Nadia Essayan has said, noting at the same time that French President Emmanuel Macron will discuss the matters of human rights and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean during the French EU Council Presidency, taking also into consideration the problem created by Turkey.

A delegation of the Friendship Group is visiting Cyprus this week.

In statements after having had a meeting with the parliamentary committee of foreign affairs, on Tuesday and speaking through an interpreter, Essayan stressed that Cyprus “has a very important strategic position, which plays a bridging role between the EU and the Middle East”.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cooperation in the fields of defence and security is further expanded, Cyprus Defence Minister, Charalambos Petrides said in a statement about the 1st Trilateral meeting among Cyprus, Greece and Jordan, at the level of Defence Minsters, that took place on Wednesday in Nicosia.

Petrides said that the three countries have long-standing and firm relations, created through their history and efforts for a better and safer future.

He added that he and his counterparts had the opportunity to discuss and exchange views related to the process of establishing and activating the trilateral mechanism on issues of defence and security, as well as ways of cooperation among the armed forces at the trilateral level.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Solving the issue of missing persons in Cyprus is “not impossible” but cooperation with the Turkish side is “never satisfactory” Juan Fernando López Aguilar, the Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, (LIBE) said on Wednesday.

Addressing a group of journalists from Cyprus, the Spanish S&D MEP, who is also the standing rapporteur for the issue of missing persons in Cyprus, López Aguilar said that so much energy, EU money and EU skill has been put into solving this humanitarian problem, and yet there are so many people pending to be found.

There has been some progress, however there are families still waiting for their beloved ones, he added.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Relations between Cyprus and Israel are today stronger than ever before, Foreign Minister, Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday, during an event in Nicosia organized by the Embassy of Israel on the occasion of the Hanukkah Jewish celebration, during which Christodoulides and Israeli Ambassador Oren Anolik lit the candles on a menorah, an ancient Hebrew lampstand.

Addressing the event, Christodoulides noted that the partnership between Cyprus and Israel continues to grow and deepen, “and what better proof is there than the holding of already the 9th trilateral Summit with Israel, and Greece, that is scheduled to take place next week.”

Moreover, the Foreign Minister said that “cooperation between Cyprus and Israel shines like a geopolitical beacon of security, stability and prosperity for the entire region, ensuring that the future will be better in our tr

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The UN Secretary General`s new Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Colin Stewart, arrives to the island early next week to assume his duties, as Elizabeth Spehar`s term of office as head of the UN mission in Cyprus ended on November 30th. Stewart will also perform the role of Deputy to the Secretary-General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus.

The Cyprus News Agency (CNA) has learned that the UNSG`s good offices mission in Cyprus has already requested the arrangement of several contacts which Stewart will have with officials and stakeholders on the island, after his arrival.

Source: Cyprus News Agency