Nicosia: The transfer of know-how from the Republic of Cyprus to Sierra Leone in various fields, the strengthening of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and the upcoming assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU by the Republic of Cyprus, with a focus on the Union’s migration policies, were the three main topics discussed on Thursday by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, and the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, who paid an official visit to Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides highlighted the significance of this visit, marking it as the first time a President of Sierra Leone has visited Cyprus. This visit is particularly important as it opens discussions on bilateral issues where Sierra Leone has requested assistance from Cyprus in education, agriculture, fisheries, and shipping. The two nations have agreed to work collaboratively to address challenges in these sectors.
A key point of discussion was the strengthening of diplomatic relations, especially given Cyprus’s limited diplomatic presence in Africa. President Christodoulides noted that Africa holds strategic importance for Cyprus due to its own national issues, prompting recent visits by Cyprus’s Foreign Minister to several African nations.
Another critical topic was Cyprus’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU, particularly its potential to influence migration policies. President Christodoulides emphasized the importance of addressing migration issues, noting that a significant portion of Sierra Leone’s young population is seeking opportunities abroad. He underscored the need for the EU to invest in these countries to mitigate the factors driving migration.
President Christodoulides further explained that Cyprus, during its EU Presidency, will focus on highlighting these migration concerns and proposing specific actions to address them. This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that young individuals in countries like Sierra Leone can find opportunities within their own borders.
The backdrop of these discussions is the ongoing division of Cyprus, which has been split since 1974 due to a Turkish invasion. Despite repeated UN-led peace talks, a resolution has not been achieved, with the most recent negotiations in 2017 ending without success.