President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides is visiting Lebanon with the focus of his visit being issues of energy cooperation and broader regional aspects.
On Tuesday, 25 November, the President stated that he will make announcements on “two important issues” from Beirut.
In a written statement, Government Spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, says that this is a visit “of particular significance, at a time when cooperation, mutual trust, and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean acquire even greater importance.”
According to Letymbiotis, President Christodoulides’ presence in Beirut is part of the ongoing effort of the Republic of Cyprus to deepen its relations with the countries of the region, and Lebanon specifically, an important partner “with whom we share historically friendly ties, common challenges, and strategic interests,” as he stated.
Within the framework of this continuous deepening of relations and strengthening of cooperation with Lebanon, Letymbiotis said that during the President’s stay in Beirut there will be specific announcements concerning issues of energy cooperation and broader regional aspects, “confirming the steady orientation of the Republic of Cyprus toward enhancing security and stability in the region.”
The President is expected to arrive in Beirut at 11am on Wednesday, 26 November, where he will be received by Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny.
President Christodoulides will then proceed to the Presidential Palace, where he will have a private meeting with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun. Wider-format discussions will follow, after which the two leaders will make statements at 12.30pm.
President Christodoulides is expected to attend an official luncheon and depart from the Lebanese Presidential Palace at 2pm.
“The visit is a continuation of a particularly intense and productive period of contacts between the two countries, reflecting the upgraded dynamics of our bilateral relations. In this context, there will be an exchange of views on regional developments, on issues of security and stability, as well as on the progress of cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” the Government Spokesperson notes in his written statement.
He also points out that Cyprus attaches consistent importance to strengthening Lebanon’s resilience and stability, a key factor for the entire region.
At the same time, according to Letymbiotis, the visit offers an opportunity for discussion on further strengthening cooperation within the framework of EU–Lebanon relations, particularly ahead of the upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union. “As the EU Member State closest to Lebanon, Cyprus remains firmly oriented toward reinforcing the EU–Lebanon partnership,” he said.
The President of the Republic will be accompanied in Lebanon by the Government Spokesperson, the Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, National Security Advisor Tasos Tzionis, the Director of the President’s Diplomatic Office Doros Venezis, and other officials.
(Source: CNA)
