Cyprus – Bulgaria sign cooperation protocol

Cyprus and Bulgaria signed here today a protocol on enhanced Cooperation to further improve bilateral relations.

The protocol was signed by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus and Bulgaria, Markos Kyprianou and Ivailo Kalfin respectively, in the presence of the Presidents of both countries, Demetris Christofias and Georgi Parvanov, at the Presidential House of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The two countries are willing to further strengthen the traditional relations of friendship ad cooperation between them, in the framework of their membership to the European Union, the protocol says.

It notes that Nicosia and Sofia are convinced that a regular and constructive dialogue on bilateral, regional, European and international issues which fall within their competencies will contribute to achieving a better knowledge and understanding of each other’s positions.

The Ministries will hold regular consultations on issues related to political cooperation, the European Union, its future, the process of enlargement and common foreign and security policy, issues related to Cyprus problem in general and the UN sponsored negotiations in particular, as well as other regional and international issues of common interest.

UN-sponsored peace talks are currently underway in Cyprus between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities with a view to finding a negotiated political settlement that will reunite Cyprus, which has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.