Three high-ranking officials will pay visits to Cyprus in July to hold meetings with the Cyprus government.
Government spokesman Nikos Christodoulides told CNA that High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini will visit Cyprus on July 24, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 28 and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on July 29.
According to diplomatic sources, these visits highlight the regional role of Cyprus as a bridge between the EU and the Middle Eat as well as the country`s close relations with neigbouring countries.
Christodoulides said that Mogherini will meet with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and that they will discuss the regional role of Cyprus as an EU member state, the role which Cyprus can play as a bridge between the Middle East and Europe.
CNA has learned that Mogherini`s visit most probably also concerns President Anastasiades` initiative for Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas to be invited to address the European Council.
As regards Netanyahu`s visit Christodoulides said that the Israeli Prime Minister will discuss with President Anastasiades bilateral issues and issues concerning the Middle East region.
President Anastasiades visited Israel in mid June and had then invited Netanyahu to visit Cyprus.
Diplomatic sources told CNA that his visit to the island just a month and a half after Anastasiades` visit to Israel indicates the very good level of relations between Cyprus and Israel.