Foreign Affairs Minister Constantinos Kombos paid Israel a working visit over the weekend, during which he met with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, to discuss issues mainly concerning the progress of bilateral relations with an emphasis on energy, defence and investments.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Kombos said that Cyprus “maintains a strategic relationship with Israel, which covers issues of mutual interest, especially in the fields of energy, defence and trade”.
As for trade, he added, “one only needs to look at the numbers regarding the mutual flow of investments to the two countries and the continuous development of these relations”.
According to Kombos, the ministers also discussed issues concerning the region, focusing on the “day after” in Gaza and the need to implement US President Donald Trump’s Plan.
He added that Cyprus' role as a bridge of cooperation between international partners and operational activities on the ground was highlighted with the six proposals submitted by President Nikos Christodoulides at the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit.
“We have common concerns about the way in which some third parties may try to acquire a role, which would not be to the benefit of the wider region,” Kombos stressed.
They also reviewed the course of the 3+1 scheme with the participation of the United States and discussed the prospects that emerge through the implementation of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, as well as the impact of recent regional developments on the security and stability of the Eastern Mediterranean, with particular emphasis on the need to protect civilians and strengthen humanitarian efforts.
The Cypriot Minister's visit began at the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) of the Central Command (CENTCOM) of the US Armed Forces in the city of Kiryat Gat, where he was briefed on the actions to support the process of providing humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza in the context of the implementation of President Trump’s Plan.
(Photos: PIO)
