Austrian President on state visit to Cyprus

Austria’s President Heinz Fischer arrives in Cyprus on Thursday for a three-day state visit.

Fischer and his entourage will be welcomed by Foreign Minister George Lillikas and Austria’s ambassador in Nicosia Dr. Eva Hager. On Thursday evening they will attend a private dinner at the residence of President Tassos Papadopoulos.

The Austrian President’s official contacts begin on Friday with his arrival at the Presidential Palace. After an official welcoming ceremony, the two leaders will hold a meeting which will be followed by official talks between delegations from both countries.
President Papadopoulos will present his Austrian counterpart with the Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III while Fischer will bestow the Cypriot president with the Grand Star of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria.
Fischer will visit the House of Representatives for a meeting with House President Demetris Christofias and will visit Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou who will present him with the Golden Key of the city and tour him in the old part of town and the ceasefire line.
On Friday afternoon, the president and First Lady Margit Fischer and members of the official delegation will meet Archbishop Chrysostomos II.
The day will close with a state banquet at the Presidential Palace.
On Saturday, Fischer and his entourage will visit UNFICYP headquarters for a meeting with Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Chief of Mission Michael Moller and will then meet members of the UN Austrian contingent stationed in Cyprus.
The Austrian delegation will also visit Macheras Monastery, the village of Fikardou and the village of Koshi before heading to Larnaca for their return flight to Austria.