Nicosia: Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides stated that the objective of the Cyprus-Greece-Israel trilateral summit, scheduled for Monday in Israel, is to foster conditions for security and cooperation throughout the broader Middle East. Speaking in Lefkara during an event highlighting the priorities of Cyprus' upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, President Christodoulides emphasized the significance of the trip.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides' agenda in Israel will commence with bilateral meetings with the Israeli Prime Minister and the country's President, concentrating on the bilateral relationship, particularly in sectors such as energy, defense, innovation, and tourism. He mentioned that numerous topics are on the bilateral agenda and highlighted that there are 186 flights per week between the two nations, underscoring the strong ties. He also noted the presence of Israeli visitors at the Lefkara event as a testament to the robust relationship.
President Christodoulides added that the visit will feature the 10th trilateral meeting, with discussions aimed at fostering security and collaboration across the Middle East through cooperation and a 'positive approach.' The summit is strategically timed, taking place just days before Cyprus assumes the EU Council Presidency. An informal European Council meeting is planned for April 23-24 during the Presidency, where the European Union is expected to present tangible projects related to the region.
He further explained that Cyprus is advancing these goals through trilateral cooperation not only with Israel but also with Egypt and other regional nations, to strengthen ties between the EU and the wider Middle East.