The new president of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, who is making his first visit to Greece country after assuming his duties, arrived at the Maximos Palace shortly after 12:00 noon on Mibday where he had a joint press conference with Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

On the agenda of the meeting were bilateral issues concerning Greece and Cyprus, in view of the European Council in March. “Our cooperation will be very close, as before, direct and efficient, but it will be strengthened even more” emphasised Mr. Christodoulides.

Christodoulides, after laying a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier at the Syntagma, was received by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who welcomed him at the door of the Maximos Palace, while afterward, they had a private meeting in his office.

The president of Cyprus also met with the President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou and held extensive talks with her. At the reception were the Speaker of the Parliament Kostas Tasoulas, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias, and the head of the Greek National Association of Greek Orthodox Churches Konstantinos Floros.

The President of the Republic, in a special ceremony, awarded the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulidis, with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Saviour. At 1:30 p.m., Mrs. Sakellaropoulou will host a dinner in his honour, also at the Presidential Palace.

At the center of Mr. Christodoulidis’ contacts are the possibilities for the European Union to assume a leading role in resolving the Cyprus issue, regional developments, but also energy cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean.