Rome, Italy. Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said Cyprus and Italy share a “common cultural identity” as he met Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace. The meeting came ahead of the joint inauguration of an archaeological exhibition on the two countries’ shared culture.
Meeting at the Quirinal Palace
Christodoulides said Cyprus and Italy have “longstanding ties” and noted that his visit comes at a significant time for Cyprus, saying that since January 1 the Republic of Cyprus has undertaken the presidency of the Council of the European Union.
He said he wants to “coordinate with the Italian government in our joint effort for a more autonomous union, more open to the world”.
Christodoulides added that strengthening Cyprus’ bilateral relations with Italy is a “high priority”, and said he was “very pleased” that he and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had earlier “agreed to work together to institutionalise our cooperation”.
Talks and official events
Bilateral talks between Christodoulides and Mattarella were followed by expanded talks between the Cypriot and Italian delegations, as well as an official lunch held in Christodoulides’ honour.
Discussions with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Christodoulides met Meloni on Thursday and said afterward that it had been agreed the two governments would draw up a “joint partnership document”.
“We want to strengthen our cooperation to address a series of common priorities which we have,” he said, adding that he and Meloni “fully agree that our countries, and also the EU, as part of a neighbourhood with challenges and significant opportunities, cannot remain mere spectators to developments”.
He said that “we must take initiatives which produce substantial results”, referencing planned new EU strategies for islands and coastal communities, with European Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis set to present the strategies this year.
Christodoulides also said he and Meloni are in “close contact” on issues including migration and competitiveness, and that both governments approach these matters “with the same seriousness”.
What do you think closer Cyprus-Italy coordination could mean for EU initiatives during Cyprus’ Council presidency?
