Press Releases

The mutual will to strengthen bilateral relations between Cyprus and Qatar, particularly in the fields of economy and investment, was discussed today between the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, and the Amir of the State of Qatar, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who is paying his first official visit to Cyprus, following an invitation by President Christodoulides.

The Amir of the State of Qatar arrived at the Presidential Palace at 11:20 a.m., accompanied by a number of his Government Ministers, where he was received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, while a military contingent paid tribute. Following the national anthems of the two countries, a private meeting was held between the two leaders.

Welcoming the Amir of the State of Qatar during the private meeting, the President of the Republic said, inter alia, addressing the Qatari leader: “This is your first visit to Cyprus. We are in the same region, we have excellent relations, but there are unexplored prospects for further enhancing our bilateral relations, as well as for our cooperation in the region.

At the same time, you can consider Cyprus, a member state of the European Union, as your Ambassador in Brussels and I look forward to our consultations so that we can further strengthen our relations.

There is a sincere political will from the Republic of Cyprus to work with you in the fields of economy, investment, tourism. We can learn a lot from your own success story and I want to commend your role with regard to developments in Qatar.

I am very happy to host you in Cyprus, six months after my own visit to Doha.”

For his part, the Amir of the State of Qatar thanked the President of the Republic of Cyprus for the invitation extended to him to visit Cyprus and stated, inter alia: “We have excellent relations indeed, which have great potential, especially in the fields of economy and investment.

We had the opportunity last night (during the private dinner) to discuss various issues and I look forward to the talks we will have later on.”

The Qatari Amir then referred to the war in Gaza, expressing concern over developments in Rafah. He stressed the need for a ceasefire, noting his country's efforts to free the hostages.

After the private meeting, the two leaders held extended talks between the delegations of the two countries.

Among the issues discussed were bilateral relations and ways to further strengthen them, notably in the fields of economy and investment, developments in the Cyprus problem, the situation in the Middle East, as well as issues related to the Republic of Cyprus' Amalthea initiative for providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

On the Cypriot side, the Ministers of Finance, Mr Makis Keravnos, and Energy, Trade and Industry, Mr Giorgos Papanastasiou, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr Alexis Vafeades, the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Ms Marilena Raouna, the Deputy Minister to the President, Ms Irene Piki, and the Deputy Minister of Culture, Ms Vasiliki Kassianidou, as well as the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Andreas Kakouris, the Ambassador of the Republic to Qatar, Mr Nicholas Manolis, the Director of the Diplomatic Office of the President of the Republic, Mr Doros Venezis, the Deputy Government Spokesman, Mr Yiannis Antoniou, and officials attended the talks.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus will host a lunch in honour of the Amir of the State of Qatar, who will then depart from Cyprus.

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For footage from the Amir of the State of Qatar's official visit, press here. 

(EP)