Bilateral relations between Cyprus and the Netherlands should be further strengthened, said King Willem-Alexander today, speaking during his reception, along with Queen Máxima, at the Presidential Palace by President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides and First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides.
President Christodoulides stated that there are many issues that bring the two countries closer, and they would discuss significant matters for both nations and their citizens during the royal couple’s state visit to Cyprus.
Welcoming the royal couple, President Christodoulides expressed his excitement and honour in hosting the first-ever visit of the Dutch Royal Family to Cyprus. He thanked them for accepting his personal invitation, which he had extended during their meeting in The Hague in February 2024.
He noted that Cyprus and the Netherlands shared many common interests and that he was looking forward to discussing important issues, including education, agriculture, migration, their shared agenda within the European Union, and archaeology. He highlighted the pride Cyprus takes in hosting a mission from Leiden University in Paphos.
President Christodoulides also stated that, in recognition of the historic nature of the visit, he was honoured to present Their Majesties with the highest distinction of the Republic of Cyprus, along with specially designed gifts that celebrated the country’s rich heritage and culture.
In response, King Willem-Alexander expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome they had received on the first day of their official visit to Cyprus. He acknowledged that although this was the first Dutch royal visit since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, he and Queen Máxima were pleased and honoured to be in the country.
The King emphasised that the visit underscored the Netherlands’ recognition of Cyprus’s importance and the role it plays in the Eastern Mediterranean. He noted that as the southeasternmost part of the EU, Cyprus was a valuable partner in an unstable region. He pointed out that the Netherlands had often relied on Cyprus in times of need, whether for evacuations or for better understanding regional developments. For this reason, he considered it crucial to further strengthen bilateral relations, both as individual partners and as EU allies.
He concluded by saying that he was looking forward to spending a few days in Cyprus and appreciated the warm reception.
De Koning en Koningin Máxima komen aan op Larnaca International Airport. Morgen begint het tweedaagse staatsbezoek aan Cyprus. Het bezoek is op uitnodiging van president Nikos Christodoulides.https://t.co/8sIaxebKjx pic.twitter.com/OheZds3meB
— Koninklijk Huis (@koninklijkhuis) March 3, 2025
Also read: Dutch Royal couple to pay Cyprus a state visit in March
Source: CNA
