New York:Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides underscored the significant importance of enhancing relations between Europe and Gulf states during a Europe-Gulf forum held in New York.

According to Cyprus News Agency, the forum was co-organized by the Antenna Group and the Atlantic Council, serving as a strategic dialogue platform aimed at bolstering political, economic, and investment ties between European and Gulf countries. The initiative also seeks to establish a stable communication channel among governments, institutions, investors, and the business community.

During his address, President Christodoulides highlighted the efforts made by Cyprus and Greece to bring EU attention to the Gulf region. He noted that the President of the European Council has announced an upcoming second summit of EU and Gulf state leaders in Saudi Arabia next month.

He emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance EU-Gulf relations, focusing on areas like visa liberalization, connectivity, and maritime security. The President also recalled that strengthening these relations was a priority during the recent Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council, which saw the first participation of the Gulf Cooperation Council's Secretary General in an informal European Council meeting in Nicosia.

Christodoulides pointed out the security situation in the Gulf, affecting sectors such as trade and energy in Europe, and mentioned visits to the region by himself and the Foreign Minister to express solidarity during last spring's hostilities. He remarked on the global implications of local crises and the vulnerabilities in shipping route security.

Highlighting Cyprus's maritime interests, he reaffirmed the country's commitment to international law principles, including the Law of the Sea, noting the importance of freedom of navigation.

He also discussed the potential positive impact of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic and Trade Corridor (IMEC) on regional stability and connectivity involving Europe, the Gulf, and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The forum was attended by several notable figures, including Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Finland's President Alexander Stubb, Qatar's Prime Minister Ali Al Thawadi, European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and other foreign ministers and senior officials.