Enhancing bilateral relations with Italy is a great priority for the government, President Nikos Christodoulides said during a meeting with his Italian counterpart in Rome, Sergio Mattarella on Friday.
The two presidents held extended talks with their respective delegations at the Quirinale Palace. According to a statement by the Cyprus Presidency, Christodoulides said: “I am here to coordinate with the Italian government in our common effort for a more autonomous Union, one that is more open to the world. At the same time, strengthening our bilateral relations is a major priority for my government.”
Christodoulides said he was very pleased with the decision taken on Thursday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to institutionalise bilateral cooperation, with the aim of upgrading relations to a strategic level.
Welcoming President Christodoulides and the Cypriot delegation, the Italian President referred to the historic ties between the two countries and their joint efforts to address multiple challenges.
On Cyprus’ EU Presidency he expressed satisfaction with the priorities it has set, stressing the need to find answers to the problems facing citizens to preserve the EU’s credibility.
As regards Ukraine and the Middle East, he highlighted the contribution of the Republic of Cyprus in sending humanitarian aid.
The Italian President expressed satisfaction with the decision taken by Christodoulides and Meloni to initiate discussions on the preparation of a joint partnership document, with the aim of further upgrading Cyprus-Italy cooperation in a series of common priorities with a strategic orientation.
During talks, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries referred to their close cooperation on a European level to address common challenges, making special reference to Gaza.
Upgrade bilateral relations to match those with France
Cyprus’ aim is to upgrade its relations with Italy to reach the same level as those it has with France, sources told CNA on Friday.
The decision to sign a strategic agreement, the shared interest of Cyprus and Italy in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and Italy’s recognition that Cyprus is producing tangible work at EU level were the three key points Nicosia notes from President Christodoulides’ meeting with Italian PM Meloni on Thursday, said sources.
It was noted that Cyprus has strategic agreements with the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and France, while procedures are at a final stage for a similar agreement with India, and it has now decided to pursue such an agreement with Italy as well.
Given Italy’s relationship with Turkey, the government considers it significant that Rome has agreed to begin discussions on an action plan, as Italy calls these agreements.
Nicosia hopes that this action plan will be signed before or on the sidelines of this April’s informal European Council, to be held in Cyprus. The plan will concern areas such as energy, defence and security, as well as cultural matters and other areas, it was noted.
The two countries will also discuss potential cooperation within the SAFE programme framework, the sources added.
Regarding April’s informal European Council, Christodoulides and Meloni discussed the participation of countries in the southern neighbourhood with which Italy has special relations, such as Libya and Algeria.
On the Cyprus issue, the same sources said they discussed Meloni’s excellent relations with the Turkish President, something Nicosia wishes to utilise. Christodoulides was informed that when the Turkish President asked for Italy’s assistance regarding the EU’s SAFE programme, the Italian PM pointed out that Ankara must normalise relations with Cyprus.
Transatlantic relations
According to the same sources, Christodoulides and Meloni discussed the need to maintain communication with the United States despite existing problems.
They also noted that the Americans greatly appreciated that Cyprus and Italy were the two EU countries that essentially organised the presence of EU member states and the Commission as observers at the Board of Peace inaugural meeting held in Washington. The two countries cooperated and secured the participation of 17 EU representatives, noted the sources.
Regarding the inauguration on April 23 of the Regional Firefighting Centre at the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos, Meloni was positive to the president’s proposal to have Italian firefighting aircraft present.
Natural gas to Europe via Egypt
Regarding the president’s meeting in Rome earlier on Friday with energy major ENI Chief Executive Officer Claudio Descalzi, sources told CNA, the aim of negotiations with ENI is the sale of natural gas to Europe via Egypt in 2027.
According to sources, Christodoulides and Descalzi had a two-hour meeting and agreed to hold a teleconference later in the day to tie up loose ends. The goal, sources said, is to conclude consultations and for the two sides to sign an agreement on March 31, so that the development plan can be submitted to the Council of Ministers.
Sources: CNA