Cyprus, Israel hope to refresh strong relationship

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades hopes to visit Israel the soonest possible with his ministers of Foreign Affairs, Energy, Defence and Tourism to hold extensive discussions.

The decision was taken during a telephone conversation on Monday between Anastasiades and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

Cypriot deputy government spokesman Panayiotis Sentonas, in a written statement, said Anastasiades congratulated the Israeli Prime Minister on his re-election.

Both leaders voiced their determination to continue the excellent cooperation between the two states.

They also discussed management of the coronavirus pandemic and the gradual lifting of restriction.

President Anastasiades also discussed with Netanyahu resuming flights between the two countries as well as the measures on tourism.

Israel is among the 13 countries Cyprus will allow visitors from once it opens its airports on June 9.

The two also talked about strengthening trilateral cooperation between Greece, Cyprus and Israel for “security and stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, in the light of the illegal Turkish action”.

Anastasiades expressed the readiness of Cyprus to host the next high-level meeting in the framework of the regional cooperation mechanism.