Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos held a meeting on Monday with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades at the Presidential Mansion in Nicosia.

In a joint press conference afterwards, Pavlopoulos underlined that the “brotherly ties” between Cyprus and Greece are inextricable and can only grow stronger though the common challenges that two nations are facing.

Although it is a tradition for all new Greek presidents to pay their first official visit abroad to Cyprus, Pavlopoulos noted that, in this case, his visit is a meaningful and symbolic act.

He reiterated Greece’s determination to support the island republic in its efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, adding that the pausing of the discussions, caused by the presence of Turkish “Barbaros” research vessel in the Cyprus EEZ, was the right thing to do.

On his part, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said that he discussed with Pavlopoulos the current economic conditions in both countries as well as the reforms which are underway.