Rome: Enhancing bilateral relations with Italy is a great priority for the government, President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides has said, noting the close ties of friendship and their common cultural identity. The President was speaking at a meeting on Friday with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, in the framework of the official visit he pays to Rome. Accompanied by First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, the Cypriot President arrived at noon at the Quirinal Palace, where he was welcomed by the Italian President, along with his daughter Laura Mattarella. After the official welcome ceremony, the two Presidents held extended talks with the participation of delegations of the two countries.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Italian President expressed satisfaction with the decision taken on Thursday between the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of Italy to initiate discussions on the preparation of a joint partnership document, with the aim of further upgrading Cyprus-Italy cooperation in a series of common priorities with a strategic orientation.
President Christodoulides said that his official visit is taking place 14 years after the last official visit by a President of the Republic of Cyprus to Italy, and two years after President Mattarella's visit to Cyprus. He added that President Mattarella's official visit was the first ever by an Italian President to Cyprus.
He also noted that he was visiting Italy at a very important time for Cyprus, as the Republic of Cyprus assumed since January the Presidency of the Council of the EU, adding that he is in Rome to coordinate with the Italian Government, in the joint effort for a more autonomous Union, more open to the world.
"At the same time, enhancing our bilateral relations is a great priority for my Government and I am very glad that yesterday with Italian Prime Minister Meloni we agreed to work together towards the institutionalisation of our cooperation, with the aim of upgrading our bilateral relationship in a strategic nature," he added.
Furthermore, President Christodoulides expressed his gratitude to President Mattarella for the fact that later in the afternoon they will jointly inaugurate a flagship archaeological exhibition noting that the two countries share a common cultural identity and long-standing ties.
Welcoming President Christodoulides and the Cypriot delegation, the Italian President referred to the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU and expressed satisfaction with the priorities it has set, stressing the need to find answers to problems faced by citizens, in order to preserve the credibility of the EU, the press release says.
President Mattarella also referred to the economy, to housing, to immigration, and to competitiveness. The Italian President stressed the historical ties between Cyprus and Italy and their joint efforts to address multiple challenges.
As regards Ukraine and the Middle East, he highlighted the contribution of the Republic of Cyprus in sending humanitarian aid. In addition, he praised the initiatives undertaken by Cyprus, especially in the EU, to address challenges that affect citizens.
The Italian President expressed satisfaction with the decision taken on Thursday between the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of Italy to initiate discussions on the preparation of a joint partnership document, with the aim of further upgrading Cyprus-Italy cooperation in a series of common priorities with a strategic orientation.
He made particular reference to common values and political, diplomatic and trade relations, as well as cooperation in the fields of education, health, and culture.
According to the press release, President Mattarella showed interest in the Cyprus issue and President Christodoulides informed him about the current situation, referring to the EU-Turkey relations that can function in support to the effort to reach a mutually acceptable state of affairs for the benefit of all parties.
Meanwhile, during the talks, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries referred to their close cooperation on a European level to address common challenges, making special reference to Gaza. Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, talked about the humanitarian aid sent to Gaza and thanked Italy for its contribution. His Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, welcomed the role of the Republic of Cyprus and congratulated it for the initiatives it undertakes.
After the extended talks, the Italian President hosted an official lunch in honor of President Christodoulides.