The Presidents of Cyprus and Israel, Nicos Anastasiades and Reuven Rivlin, have reaffirmed the deep cooperation and warm relations between the two countries, expressing their support to the renewal of flights and tourism between Cyprus and Israel as long as conditions allows it.
Anastasiades and Rivlin met on Sunday morning in Jerusalem. In statements to the media, after their tête-à-tête meeting, President Rivlin said, among others, that “our shared values, including democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, bind us together, in a region where these values are not always respected. And our shared interests continue to grow in many fields, from diplomacy and security, to trade, tourism, energy, emergency response, innovation and the environment.” He recalled that they both recently participated, in the opening of the Pafos Innovation Institute, a centre for joint projects, between the two countries, and between all the peoples of the region.
Moreover, Rivlin said, according to a press release issued by the Cypriot Presidency, that “as the coronavirus has shown us, today’s challenges know no borders and we must work together in order to meet them. In this context, let me say how pleased I am with the recent understandings that will allow the renewal of flights and tourism between Israel and Cyprus.”
“Israelis love Cyprus so much, and call more countries to adopt the Green Passes,” he said.
“In addition to our warm bilateral relations, our strategic trilateral cooperation with Greece, especially in the energy sector, is a key component of regional stability and economic development. In light of this close cooperation, we must continue to work together and not let anyone undermine our regional stability,” he added.
On his part, President Anastasiades expressed deep appreciation for the assistance Israel has provided to Cyprus in the course of the pandemic and noted that “Israel has always been by our side in times of need.”
“With regard to our bilateral relations I am proud to say that over the past few years we have reached a very prolific partnership. We are particularly advanced in the areas of energy, defence, tourism, health and education but the wider issues on which we are currently working together showcases the great significance we both place on our cooperation as well as its potential,” Anastasiades said.
He noted that he is very pleased on the level of people to people contacts. “We hope that soon the epidemiological condition in both our countries will allow us to resume the flow of visitors between Cyprus and Israel since I firmly believe that this solidifies our friendly ties which extend to all Diaspora,” he added.
Anastasiades said that “we have an action plan which aims at the deepening of our communities’ cooperation in several of the world’s capitals,” noting that emphasis is placed on the active participation of the youth of Diaspora.
The remarks were followed by an expanded meeting between the delegations of the two sides.