Cyprus and Eastern Mediterranean countries to enhance ties

Minister of Health Christos Patsalides, speaking at the Annual General Assembly of the Regional Committee of the World Health Organisation (WHO), expressed certainty that the relations of Cyprus with the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, would be enhanced even more in the near future.

Patsalides is participating in the Assembly in Morocco as an observer and chairman of the European Regional Committee of WHO, at the invitation of the Director General of the Regional Committee of WHO for the Eastern Mediterranean Hussein A. Gezairy.

Speaking during the Assembly, Patsalides said the bonds between Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean countries are unbreakable, and noted that Cyprus could act as a bridge of communication between the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and the EU.

He also pointed out that there are traditional strong bonds between Cyprus and the Arab world, which demand the continuation of Cyprus' presence in proceedings concerning the Eastern Mediterranean.

Gezairy noted the important role Cyprus can play in strengthening relations between the Eastern Mediterranean countries and the EU.

On the sidelines of the Assembly, Patsalides met with his counterparts of Egypt, Libya, Jordan and other member states of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean.