Cyprus and Saudi Arabia have stressed, with regards to the Ukrainian crisis, the importance of settling disputes by peaceful means, giving priority to dialogue and diplomatic solutions, and making all possible efforts to de- escalate the situation, to restore security, stability and limit the negative repercussions of this crisis.
A Joint Statement issued at the conclusion of the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades’ official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on March 1st, said that the two sides also affirmed their full support for all efforts aimed at de-escalation and solving conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Moreover, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirmed its principled position on the Cyprus issue of the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means and dialogue in accordance with the rules of the international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, while the Cypriot side expressed its condemnation of the terrorist attacks with ballistic missiles and drones carried out by the terrorist Houthi militia against vital installations and civilian objects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
As it is noted, “the two sides expressed their satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations and stressed the importance of developing them in all fields to serve common interests and enhance mutual benefits. To this end the two sides reaffirmed their desire to work towards developing an Action Plan of strategic orientation and practical deliverables for further strengthening the excellent existing relations.”
On the economic level, “both sides stressed the importance of increasing economic cooperation through enhancing and diversifying trade and investment exchange, and exploring opportunities offered by Saudi Vision 2030, and Cyprus Vision 2035, further outreach between private sectors in both countries in order to discuss and encourage trade and investment opportunities and translate them into concrete partnerships.”
Both sides also stressed their governments` strategic pursuit “to create a fertile and motivating environment for investment in several sectors in both countries through launching several joint initiatives including in the field of culture, antiquities, food, medicine, digitalization, cyber security, and financial services. The two sides also agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation in civil aviation, maritime transport, air transport, and ports.”
According to the Joint Statement “the two sides agreed to explore areas of joint cooperation in a number of energy fields, including petrochemicals, energy efficiency, electricity, renewable energy, innovation, clean technologies for hydrocarbons, and low-carbon fuels, including hydrogen, and to work on localizing the energy sector products and its related supply chains. In addition to developing projects related to these areas, to contribute to the sustainability of demand for the energy supply globally.”
In this context, Cyprus welcomed the Kingdom`s launch of the Saudi Green and the Middle East Green initiatives. Moreover, it expressed its support for the Kingdom`s efforts in the field of climate change through the application of the Circular Carbon Economy approach. Likewise, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed the initiative of the Cypriot President to address climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The two sides expressed their aspiration to enhance cooperation in implementing these initiatives.
They also stressed the importance of increasing the pace of cooperation in the field of tourism and development of tourism activities in the two countries, exploring the tourism potentials of each country, and promoting cooperation on sustainable tourism, for the benefits and development of the tourism sector.
Moreover, in the field of defence and security cooperation, the two sides agreed on the importance of continuing to develop military cooperation between them in a way that meets the interests of both sides in order to achieve security and stability in the region.
They also reviewed relations of the EU with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of which Cyprus is a strong supporter, including of stepping up engagement in the context of the EU – GCC institutional framework, and affirmed the strategic merit of this crucial partnership, the Joint Statement noted.
Source: Cyprus News Agency