Cyprus has always been a quiet partner for peace, President of Israel Reuven Rivlin said on Monday, welcoming President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades to Jerusalem, noting that especially President Anastasiades has “always been a wise and patient voice in the search for an end to the conflicts of this region.”
He thanked President Anastasiades for Cyprus` support to the need to find a solution to the 150 year old tragedy, of the Jews and Arabs.
On his part, President Anastasiades wished for a solution to the Middle East problem “that will bring about peace, stability and prosperity not only for the Israelis but for the whole region and its peoples. Cyprus will continue its modest contribution towards that end through its active participation in the EU and the UN.”
He said he was looking forward to having constructive and fruitful talks both with the President of Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu, “which I sincerely hope will deepen further our excellent relations and realize the full potential of our mutual beneficial cooperation.”
President Anastasiades was welcomed officially in Jerusalem today by Rivlin, at the Presidential Residence.
During the official welcoming ceremony, the national anthems of Cyprus and Israel were performed and a military guard presented honors. The ceremony took place in the presence of leaders of religious groups based in Jerusalem, including the Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
After the ceremony, in his welcoming remarks, President Rivlin said that “it is always a pleasure to welcome a friend to Jerusalem, the capital of the state of Israel. You are so close, you are almost family, so instead of welcoming you, I say make yourself at home.
He noted that “the relations between Israel and Cyprus, between our governments, between our two peoples are long-standing. In recent years especially, we have seen this relationship go from strength to strength. Indeed, trade between us has doubled over the last five years. We have seen and increase in the dialogue between our governments. And in the cooperation between Israel and Cyprus almost in every field: from culture to tourism, to economy, energy, water and gas.”
He said that this relationship is rooted in deep understanding and in shared values. “There are only few democracies in the Eastern Mediterranean, and we face many of the same challenges at home and abroad. Israel and Cyprus are both small countries and share common threats in the shape of ‘radical Islam.’ Iran, and the ongoing conflict in Syria.
“Yet, with the challenges brought by these threats, comes the opportunity to form new alliances, where shared values and concerns, replace previous fears and conflicts,” he added.
On his part, Anastasiades said he was pleased to be once more in Israel, the second time in the last two years. “It is truly an honour to be the first guest you are hosting since you took office in July 2014 and I would be delighted to welcome you in Nicosia,” he added.
He said that “Cyprus and Israel are geographical neighbours, which could partly account for our close relations. But our friendship extends beyond that, we share common democratic values and concerns which is why we have grown to rely on each other’s assistance and we have learned that we can both gain from this cooperation.”
He noted that the interaction between our people stretches back to Antiquity and it is bound to continue into the future, and said that between, 1946 and 1949, Cyprus hosted thousands of Jewish survivors of the Holocaust, who were fleeing from a war-torn Europe to Israel.
“Since then, our relations have progressed in a steady manner. In recent years we have witnessed an unprecedented growth in all aspects of our bilateral relations; political, economic, including cooperation on energy, and in the area of people to people contacts and cultural exchanges,” he added.
Later on the President of Cyprus signed the Book of Visitors of the Presidential Residence and the delegations of the two countries held talks.
