The President of the Republic had a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands

The President of the Republic, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte, reaffirmed the excellent level of bilateral relations between Cyprus and the Netherlands during their meeting in The Hague.

President Christodoulides, who is on a working visit to the Netherlands, had a meeting with Prime Minister Rutte at 20:00 (Cyprus local time) at the official residence of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands in The Hague.

While welcoming President Christodoulides, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands said that this is a historic visit, as it is the first visit by a President of the Republic after so many years, noting that it takes place in just one year since he assumed his duties as President of the Republic of Cyprus.

He added that the visit of President Christodoulides coincides with the 20th anniversary of Cyprus’ accession to the European Union (EU), noting that the two countries have common views and strong cooperation in areas such as the economy, defence, migration, regional stability and issues related to the European agenda.

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands thanked the President of the Republic for the assistance provided by Cyprus in the evacuation of Dutch nationals from the region. He highlighted the key role played by the Republic of Cyprus in the region and also underlined the importance of the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus to create a maritime corridor to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza.

He added that they have much to discuss both for the EU and the region.

For his part, the President of the Republic said that it has been 34 years since the last visit of a Cypriot President to the Netherlands and added: “We have excellent bilateral relations. We agree on important issues both at EU and international level.”

“I visit The Hague at an important point in time, 20 years since the most significant development of my country, following its establisment, its accession to the EU, whilst this year also marks 50 years since the illegal Turkish invasion.”, President Christodoulides said adding that “a few days ago, it was the second anniversary of another illegal invasion, the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

He also noted that in the Middle East region we are witnessing another war and pointed out that “Cyprus, as the closest EU member state in the region, is doing everything possible to help address the humanitarian crisis”.

Following the tête-à-tête meeting, Prime Minister Rutte hosted a working dinner in honour of the President of the Republic.

 

(MS/IA/NG)

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