Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will be in Cyprus on Sunday, with the aim of upgrading bilateral relations with tangible outcomes, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis, said on Friday.
During a briefing to journalists at the Presidential Palace, Letymbiotis noted that in the previous meeting between the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, and Meloni, it had been agreed to begin discussions on a partnership document.
He said that the process has progressed and that conditions were now in place for this progress to be reflected in a more concrete political and operational plan.
“The relations between Cyprus and Italy are currently at their highest level, with cooperation between the two countries acquiring a more specific and strategic character,” the Spokesperson said, noting that relations are founded on strong political trust, systematic dialogue, shared European values and converging approaches regarding the role of the Mediterranean in the new European equation of security, energy, resilience and connectivity.
According to Letymbiotis, the visit has a clear objective: to elevate bilateral relations to an even more structured level, with a specific roadmap, clear pillars of cooperation and tangible deliverables.
He said that discussions would focus on the key areas of bilateral cooperation, including security and defence, both bilaterally and within the framework of the quadrilateral cooperation between Cyprus, Greece, France and Italy. Energy issues will also be discussed, including “the decisive presence” of the Italian company ENI in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), as well as digital connectivity, trade - with Italy being the Republic of Cyprus’s third-largest trading partner - tourism, education and culture.
Emphasis will be placed on the role of the Republic of Cyprus as an integral part of regional interconnections, especially the IMEC. “Cyprus, because of its geography, infrastructure, regional partnerships and the projects already underway, has a substantive role to play in the next stages of shaping the corridor”, he said, adding that Italy, as a founding member, is “a valuable partner” in this effort.
According to the Spokesperson, the agenda will also include the work and deliverable to date of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with emphasis on its external dimension and the deepening of cooperation with countries of the southern neighbourhood and the wider Middle East.
In the field of European defence and security, discussions will focus on the need to accelerate implementation of the European Union’s defence agenda, as well as the further promotion of discussions on the operational application of Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union (mutual defence clause), following an initiative by the Republic of Cyprus.
“The value of such agreements is proven when cooperation is transformed into immediate and meaningful assistance. And this happened last March, when Italy was among the first Member States to respond in support of the Republic of Cyprus’ enhanced precautionary measures,” Letymbiotis said, noting that this was tangible proof that Cyprus-Italy relations have depth, credibility and operational substance.
At the same time, he said the two leaders will exchange views on the main issues on the European agenda, such as Ukraine, migration, competitiveness and the Multiannual Financial Framework, as well as regional developments in the Middle East and the wider region.
According to Letymbiotis, President Christodoulides will also brief the Italian Prime Minister on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue and on the efforts being made by the Greek Cypriot side to resume meaningful negotiations within the agreed framework and in line with the principles, values and acquis of the European Union.
“The Republic of Cyprus recognises and appreciates Italy’s consistent stance on the Cyprus issue, based on international law and the European approach to the matter,” he said, stressing that the Italian Prime Minister’s visit carries particular political and symbolic significance, as it is the first bilateral visit by an Italian Prime Minister to the country in 36 years.
He added that it follows the President of the Republic’s visit to Rome last February, as well as the historic visit of President Sergio Mattarella to Cyprus - the first visit by an Italian President since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
At the same time, he added, it forms part of a broader sequence of historic high-level contacts reflecting the upgraded international standing of the Republic of Cyprus: the first official bilateral visit by a President of the French Republic since the founding of the Republic of Cyprus, the first official visit by a British Prime Minister in 53 years, the first visit by the Indian Prime Minister in 23 years, and the official visit of the President of the United Arab Emirates.
“This sequence is not merely symbolic. It confirms the enhanced credibility of our country,” he concluded.
