Manama: Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, arrived in Manama, Bahrain, on Sunday morning for a two-day official visit, according to an announcement by the Presidency. Upon his arrival in Manama, President Christodoulides was welcomed by Bahrain's Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Commerce. At midday, President Christodoulides will receive an official welcome at the Royal Palace from the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The two leaders will hold a private meeting, followed by expanded talks with the participation of the delegations of both countries.
According to Cyprus News Agency, during the visit, which is taking place at the invitation of the King of Bahrain, eight agreements and memoranda of cooperation will be signed in areas such as education, culture, tourism, military cooperation, and search and rescue. This information was confirmed by a statement issued on Saturday by Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis.
While in Bahrain, President Christodoulides is to address the Cyprus-Bahrain Business Forum, visit Bahrain's sovereign investment fund, and attend the inauguration ceremony of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Manama. According to Nicosia, the visit forms part of the Government's strategy to strengthen and deepen relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Gulf states, and constitutes 'a clear reaffirmation of the political will to further upgrade cooperation with Bahrain at political, economic, energy, cultural, and defence levels'.
It is noted that the President is accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Energy, the Government Spokesperson, the Deputy Minister to the President, the National Security Adviser, the Director of his Diplomatic Office, and senior government officials.