Ireland seeks to boost good relations

Ireland aims to further strengthen its relations with Cyprus and has expressed its sympathy towards the people on the Cyprus issue, Rory Kiely, the Chairman of the Seanad Eireann Irish senate, said in statements after a meeting with House President Demetris Christofias.

“We have briefed the Irish delegation on the Cyprus problem and they expressed their support and understanding. We have always been in favour of the unity of Ireland and the struggle of the Irish people to achieve this unity,” Christofias said.

Kiely noted that every time they meet, they enhance their dialogue and their good relations, exchanging views on various issues.

“Both Cyprus and Ireland are divided. We have our problems in Ireland with the partition of our country. We have made some progress which hopefully might help the Cyprus situation. We are sympathetic to the Cyprus situation,” Kiely stressed.

“The Republic of Ireland is a pioneer country in its modernisation efforts. New EU member states can gain from the Irish experience and Cyprus is working on that,” Christofias concluded.

Rory Kiely arrived on Saturday for an official visit, heading a parliament delegation.

The delegation also had meetings with President Tassos Papadopoulos, Foreign Minister George Iacovou, House Foreign Affairs Committee President Nicos Anastasiades and the mayors of Nicosia, Famagusta and Yeroskipou, Michalis Zampelas, Ioannis Skordis and Tasos Kouzopos.

Kiely was accompanied by Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt, and MPs Tom Hayes (Fine Gael), John Cregan (Fianna Fail), John Curran (Fianna Fail), James Breen (Independent) and Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Labour).