The strengthening of cooperation on foreign policy issues and regional stability, in view of developments in the Cyprus problem and the upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, will be at the centre of the 3rd Cyprus–Greece Intergovernmental Summit in Athens, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said in a written statement.
The third Cyprus–Greece Intergovernmental Summit taking place in Athens on Wednesday, 12 November, will be chaired by the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
In his statement, Konstantinos Letymbiotis notes that the discussion will focus on close coordination on issues related to improving daily life and upgrading the quality of life of citizens in both countries. He adds that this year’s Summit will revolve around three pillars: establishing the Intergovernmental Summits as a permanent and institutionalized mechanism for strategic coordination, assessing progress on the deliverables agreed at previous Summits, and strengthening cooperation on foreign policy and regional stability in light of developments in the Cyprus problem and the upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU.
“The Greece–Cyprus Intergovernmental Summit now constitutes an institutionalized mechanism for coordination and the expansion of bilateral cooperation,” Letymbiotis says. He adds that the Intergovernmental Summit is a point of reference in the strategic relationship between Cyprus and Greece. “The discussions will focus on close coordination between the two Governments on issues relating to improving daily life, strengthening the resilience of our societies, and upgrading the quality of life of citizens,” he continues, emphasizing that this year’s Summit is taking place at a critical time, as Cyprus prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union this January.
During the Summit, a broad range of policies will be examined, reflecting the two Governments’ intention to invest in substantive, productive cooperation in areas including, among others, security and foreign policy, civil protection, climate change, and more, Letymbiotis notes.
President Christodoulides will be accompanied by a large government delegation composed of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Health, Transport, Communications and Works, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Justice and Public Order, the Government Spokesperson, the Deputy Minister to the President, the Deputy Minister for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, and the Deputy Minister for European Affairs.
Similarly, the Prime Minister of Greece will be accompanied by 16 Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and Alternate Ministers.
The Summit’s program includes a private meeting between the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of Greece (10:35–11:35 am), bilateral contacts between Ministers of the two countries, and the Intergovernmental Plenary Session (11:45–12:45), in which both leaders and members of their Governments will participate.
During the Plenary Session, a review of previous Intergovernmental Summits will be presented, progress will be assessed, and new areas of cooperation will be defined to shape the roadmap for the coming years.
After the Summit, the President of Cyprus and the Prime Minister of Greece will make joint statements to the media (12:45–13:05).
“The Cyprus–Greece Intergovernmental Summit now constitutes a stable institutional and political tool for strategic coordination, confirming the enduring relationship of trust, solidarity, and shared vision between the two states. It expresses the joint political will of Cyprus and Greece to further upgrade their cooperation, expand their footprint in the region, and jointly chart a new course of stability and prosperity for all citizens,” Letymbiotis concludes.
President Christodoulides will return to Cyprus on the afternoon of 12 November.
(Source: CNA)
