President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides held a meeting with President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun focusing on stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, regional developments and the strengthening of EU and Southern Neighborhood cooperation channels.
President Aoun arrived at the Presidential Palace on the afternoon of 7 January together with the First Lady of Lebanon, Nehmat Aoun. They were welcomed on the steps of the Presidential Palace by President Christodoulides and First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides. President Aoun later attended, together with many other dignitaries, the official opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Welcoming the Lebanese President, President Christodoulides said that "this is our 5th meeting since your election, which is a clear indication not only of our personal friendship but also of the level of relations between our countries". He noted that one of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU is the strengthening of EU relations with Lebanon.
He said he was glad for the declaration of the Association Council that also refers to the start of discussions between the EU and Lebanon and assured that Cyprus will take the lead in this direction and will do everything necessary to start discussions on a comprehensive and strategic agreement.
"I am also pleased that next Friday, the President of the European Commission will visit Lebanon for the second time, the first being when we visited it together, as will the President of the European Council for the first time. We are pleased that their visits are taking place in Lebanon during our Presidency of the Council of the EU." he concluded.
(Source: CNA)
