Cyprus Foreign Minister meets Maltese counterpart

During a short visit to Malta, en route to Libya, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta, Michael Frendo.

The talks covered a wide spectrum of issues including the Cyprus problem, bilateral relations, the Middle East problem, illegal migration and Kosovo, said a government announcement issued in Nicosia.

As regards bilateral relations, the two Ministers agreed on the signing of a memorandum for the establishment of a dialogue and cooperation on various fields of mutual interest between the two countries soon.

Special reference was made on the need to strengthen cooperation in the fields of renewable sources of energy saving, saving of water resources, desalination, trade and services, especially as regards shipping.

Both expressed the belief that Cyprus and Malta, two island, Mediterranean, EU member states should coordinate their actions, through periodical, established meetings in all levels.

Finally, the issue of opening embassies in both countries in the near future was discussed, as well as the prospect of cooperation on a common representation office in the Palestinian Authority, in Ramallah.

The Foreign Minister assured her Maltese counterpart of her participation at the meeting that Malta will host between 11 and 12 February, with the participation of EU Foreign Ministers and Foreign Ministers of member states of the Arab League.