The Republic of Cyprus and the State of Qatar signed here Tuesday seven bilateral agreements to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
The bilateral agreements were signed after talks at the Presidential Palace between President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al Thani and delegations from the two countries.
Sheikh al Thani and his entourage were received earlier Tuesday by President Christofias and members of the Cabinet.
Speaking after the official talks and the signing of the agreements, President Christofias described as “very significant” the seven agreements achieved in various sectors. He said Sheikh al Thani’s visit constitutes a “cornerstone in relations between the two countries”.
“During our talks, we have agreed to develop rapidly, the economic, tourist and political relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Qatar Emirate”, the President remarked.
President Christofias accepted an invitation by the Prime Minister of Qatar to visit Qatar.
Regarding the Cyprus issue, President Christofias thanked the PM for his “readiness and great understanding exhibited” in the analysis he made on the Cyprus issue.
President Christofias said Qatar maintains very friendly and close relations with Turkey and for this reason “I have asked the Prime Minister to make use of these relations to ensure that Turkey understands that the successful outcome of the current difficult efforts for a just, viable and functional solution of the Cyprus problem will be to its benefit as far as its accession to the EU is concerned.”
The Cypriot President repeated Cyprus’ full support in the struggle of Arab countries and especially the Palestinian people for justification based on UN resolutions and the agreements that have been achieved in creating an independent Palestine state.
Sheikh al-Thani, speaking through an interpreter, thanked the President for the warm reception noting that today’s discussions were merely the start of a course to develop relations between the two countries, noting that his country has great aspirations to enhance these relations.
“Today, we have managed to set a small foundation in building these relations, in enhancing relations between the two countries and I have conveyed an invitation from the Emir of Qatar to the President of the Republic to visit our country and we hope that he will soon”, the Prime Minister said.
On the Cyprus problem, Sheikh al-Thani said it is a fact that his country maintains very good relations with Turkey and hoped that the Cyprus problem will be solved soon.
“We hope that this issue is resolved through negotiations, through diplomatic dialogue and wish that peace and security prevail in the region for the benefit of all countries”, he added.
Asked about the price of oil in his country, the Qatar Premier said that a price of between 70-90 dollars per barrel is a fair price as the cost of extracting oil is very high.
If the prices go down, people will possibly benefit for a little while, however, subsequently the prices will soar at levels similar to those of early this year, he added.
Asked if the two countries examined the possibility of cooperation in the transport of natural gas to Cyprus from Qatar, President Christofias said that both countries are open for discussion on all issues which are related to economic cooperation.
After the talks, President Christofias hosted an official lunch in honour of Sheikh al Thani at the Presidential Palace.
Before departing from the island, Sheikh al Thani met Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos II at the Presidential Palace.
