President Nikos Christodoulides and the Minister of Energy of Lebanon, Joseph Saade, discussed deepening energy cooperation - and the prospect of an electricity interconnection between the two countries - at a meeting held at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia.
Welcoming Saade, President Christodoulides noted that Lebanon is Cyprus’ closest neighbouring country, recalling his own visit to Beirut shortly after President Aoun’s election.
He added: "We are working very closely together and enjoy excellent relations. In view of Cyprus’ upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU, we are working hard to achieve positive developments in EU–Lebanon relations. I travelled to Lebanon with the President of the European Commission a year ago — it was the first visit ever made by a Commission President to Lebanon. We want to see tangible and positive progress, and we are working with other EU member states to begin discussions toward a comprehensive strategic agreement between the EU and Lebanon."
President Christodoulides also stated that during today’s meeting, "we will discuss the possibility of an electricity interconnection. It is very important to have something concrete so that we can also work with the EU in this direction — both for political and financial support".
For his part, Saade expressed Lebanon’s keen interest in the potential electricity link and in further strengthening bilateral energy cooperation between Cyprus and Lebanon.
(Source: PIO)
