"You can consider us as your Ambassador in Brussels," President tells Qatari Emir

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani referred to the excellent bilateral relations and the untapped potential for further enhancement.

The two leaders had a tete-a-tete meeting on 28 May, in the framework of the Emir’s first-ever official visit to Cyprus. President Christodoulides said that he welcomes him with great pleasure, six months following his visit to Doha.

“We are in the same region, we have excellent relations, but there is a lot of untapped potential for our bilateral relations, but also for working together in the region. At the same time Cyprus is a member state of the European Union, you can consider us as your ambassadors in Brussels," the President noted.

He said that there is a clear political will from the Republic of Cyprus to work together in the economic sector, in tourism and investments.

"We can learn a lot from your success story and I want to praise your role in the developments in Qatar and I am very glad to have you in Cyprus, six months after my visit in Doha," he said.

The Emir thanked the President for the invitation and said he is delighted to be here.

He also spoke of the untapped potential in the bilateral relations and expressed his hope that the relations will continue and will be strengthened.

The Emir also referred to the situation in Gaza and added that what is now happening in Rafah is disturbing. He spoke of the need for a ceasefire and referred to the negotiations for the release of hostages.

Among the issues discussed during the deliberations of the delegations of the two countries were ways to further strengthen the bilateral ties  mainly in the fields of economy and investment, developments in the Cyprus issue, the situation in the Middle East, as well as issues related to the "Amalthea" initiative for humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The talks were attended by Cyprus Ministers of Finance, Energy, Transport, the Deputy Ministers of European Affairs, the Deputy Minister to the President and the Deputy Minister of Culture, as well as the Permanent Secretary of the MFA, the Ambassador of the Republic to Qatar, the he Director of the Diplomatic Office of the President of the Republic and the Deputy Government Spokesperson.

A luncheon in honour of the Emir and his delegation followed.

(Source: CNA)