President Nikos Christodoulides welcomed Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Nicosia on Thursday, with the visit focusing on strengthening the strategic partnership between Cyprus and Israel.
Key areas on the agenda include tourism, trade, security, energy and defence, alongside regional developments and ways the two countries can work with other like-minded states to promote stability, security and cooperation.
Record flights from Israel
Christodoulides said tourism would also feature prominently in their discussions, noting that Cyprus is recording a record number of flights from Israel this summer.
More than 200 flights are operating from Israel to Cyprus each week, compared with an annual average of around 140, he said.
The President also highlighted the longstanding ties between the two countries, describing Herzog as “not a stranger to us” and referring to his family’s deep-rooted relationship with Cyprus.
Christodoulides said he looked forward to discussing ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between Cyprus and Israel at all levels.
Herzog calls for Cyprus-Israel-Lebanon meeting
Herzog thanked Christodoulides for the welcome and described Cyprus as a country he has loved since childhood.
“You are a great friend,” Herzog told Christodoulides, praising his dialogue with Israel and his “open and honest approach” to the issues under discussion.
The Israeli President also expressed his wish for a trilateral meeting involving the presidents of Cyprus, Israel and Lebanon.
“My dream is that we can meet with the President of Lebanon, the President of Cyprus and the President of Israel, even here,” Herzog said, expressing hope that such a meeting could take place in the future.
He said the region should move towards peace while ensuring that terrorism is rejected and eliminated, for the benefit of the wider region and the world.
Herzog said he was bringing a message of friendship from Israel and expressed hope that the two countries could further strengthen their “unique partnership”, which he described as particularly important for both peoples.
The two Presidents are holding a private meeting, followed by a working lunch.
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