Cyprus MPs and Israel Allies Foundation form group to strengthen ties

Nicosia, Cyprus. Addressing regional challenges and advancing cooperation will be priorities for a group bringing together Cypriot MPs and the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF), Diko MP Chrysis Pantelides and IAF President Josh Reinstein said on Wednesday.

Parliamentary cooperation network

Pantelides said six parliamentarians representing Disy, Diko and Elam had formed the group with the international foundation to deepen ties between Cyprus and Israel and pursue common objectives. He spoke following a meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides, Diko MP Andreas Apostolou and Elam MP Sotiris Ioannou.

Reinstein said discussions had covered the strong relationship between the two countries, adding that ties had developed substantially during Christodoulides’ presidency.

According to Reinstein, the IAF began operating nearly 20 years ago and has since created 67 parliamentary Israel Allies caucuses worldwide. The Cyprus parliament’s caucus becomes the 68th, joining a network comprising 1,700 legislators across 68 countries.

Separate cross-party initiative

Earlier in the week, MPs from different parties established a Cyprus branch of Transatlantic Friends of Israel (TFI). Diko leader Nikolas Papadopoulos heads the group, with Disy MPs George Karoullas and Charalambos Petrides and Elam MP Sotiris Ioannou serving as deputies.

Papadopoulos said the three parties agreed that the government’s efforts to expand cooperation with Israel and the United States were entirely justified. He said the group intended to support collaboration in defence and energy.

Together, Disy, Diko and Elam hold 33 parliamentary seats, giving the bloc sufficient numbers to approve resolutions and ratify international agreements aimed at strengthening relations with Israel.