President Anastasiades and the Austrian Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, discussed on Wednesday, on the occasion of the Chancellor’s official visit in Cyprus, on further deepening the bilateral partnership between the two countries, in a wide range of areas of common interest. As President Anastasiades stated after their meeting, the two leaders confirmed their common desire to further advance a “mutually beneficial cooperation”.
The emphasis of the bilateral partnership is being placed in defense cooperation, trade, tourism, research and development, as well as energy efficiency and promotion of the use of renewable energy sources, said President Anastasiades, speaking to the media.
He also mentioned that a large part of the discussion was dedicated to the war in Ukraine and the subsequent humanitarian, energy and food security crises that it is causing. In this regard, the two leaders “agreed on the necessity to increase EU energy independence” and President Anastasiades informed the Chancellor about the initiatives and synergies, including interconnectivity projects, that can contribute to this end, as he said.
The President also said that, on the occasion of the Chancellor’s mini tour in the Middle East, he briefed him on models of regional cooperation that “have been established together with Greece that yield tangible results for the benefit of our people and the wider region”.
The issue of migration was also discussed, and President Anastasiades stressed to Chancellor Nehammer the need “on finding the right balance between responsibility and solidarity, both in terms of returns and relocations”, as both Austria and Cyprus have been facing a serious problem.
President Anastasiades also inform the Chancellor on the latest developments on the Cyprus Problem and stressed out the “constant initiatives to resume the process, with the latest example being the submission of bold Confidence Building”. Anastasiades conveyed to Nehammer that the Greek Cypriot side remains committed in reaching a settlement that will ensure that Cyprus will remain a functional and effective EU member-state and expressed his gratitude to the Chancellor “for Austria’s principled stance and support in our efforts to reach a lasting and functional settlement”. He also mentioned Austria’s contribution to UNFICYP troops since 1964.
On his part Chancellor Nehammer said, among other things, that the relations between Austria and Cyprus are very strong. ”We fully support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Cyprus, in particular regarding its sea waters”, he said.
He confirmed that both Cyprus and Austria are very much affected by illegal migration, and added that “we have to see that the asylum system of the EU failed and we need a new one, an effective one”.
He also referred to the food crises, noting that Egypt is facing a serious problem and needs help. He noted that he will visit Lebanon on Thursday, a country with a refugee problem, needing help in providing food for them.
After the remarks to the media, the President hosted a dinner in honor of the Chancellor of Austria.
Source: Cyprus News Agency