The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union is a great opportunity for Palestine, Palestinian National Authority Foreign Affairs Minister Riad al-Malki said here today.

Al-Malki, speaking after a meeting with Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, while on an official visit here, said that the fact that Cyprus presides over the Council of the EU “is a great benefit and great opportunity for Palestine because Cyprus will try to do justice”.

He further added that “Palestine is in good hands” and said he expected progress to be made at EU level during the Cyprus EU Presidency term.

Marcoullis reiterated, on her part, that Cyprus supports a comprehensive approach to the Middle East Peace Process, which will lead to a two-state solution.

“Such a solution would entail that the State of Israel will co-exist with an independent, contiguous and viable Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital” Marcoullis said.

She added that the two-state solution must be the product of negotiations and noted that all international efforts must be focused in containing the situation and restarting the process.

The Cypriot Minister condemned the settlement activity in the West Bank, adding that this is considered illegal under international law.

She further spoke about the need to implement additional confidence building measures by both sides and welcomed the signature of agreements by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister and Israeli Finance Minister on 31 July 2012, to improve the regulation of Israeli – Palestinian bilateral trade and taxation arrangements.

Moreover, Marcoullis talked about the “historic bilateral relations between Cyprus and the Palestinian people” and said she was certain the visit of al-Malki would provide a new momentum to an all-round development of bilateral relations.

She noted moreover that Cyprus remains ready to assist further development of the Palestinian welfare and society, both bilaterally and internationally.

“Cyprus will continue being at the forefront and systematically support the rights of the Palestinian people in international fora and in the EU as a matter of principle”, the Minister said.

With regard to development cooperation, Marcoullis assured her counterpart of Cyprus’ strong and continued commitment towards the support of the Palestinian people, to whom Cyprus has, since 2008, allocated around 3 million US dollars.

Al-Malki said there are strong bonds between both sides, who share many values and various similarities.

Cyprus and Palestine have always had a strong, professional and friendly working relation, the Palestinian Minister said, adding that during his contacts on the island he repeatedly heard the same strong Cyprus commitment to the just cause of the Palestinian people for a state that will coexist with Israel in peace and security.

On a bilateral level, al-Malki said both sides decided to activate political consultation and added that a delegation of the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs was expected in Ramallah.

Moreover, al-Malki noted that a Palestine-Cyprus Joint Committee, headed by the respective Foreign Ministers, will explore possible engagement in other areas in the near future. “This should really move our relationship even further”, al-Malki said, noting “the real desire” of both sides to move relations into a higher level.

Asked weather he is worried about a possible spill-over effect of the Syrian conflict in the region, al-Malki responded positively, saying that Arab countries have met several times since the beginning of the crisis and endorsed the Annan Plan and the dispatch of observers in the region.

According to al-Malki the Arab League wants to secure the territorial integrity of the country, maintain peace and seek national dialogue between the various groups in the country.

He also referred to the discussion of a draft resolution on Syria in the UN General Assembly, endorsed by Arab countries. “This reflects how much we are heavily involved and would like to do our utmost to help put an end to what is happening in Syria,” the Palestinian Minister concluded.

The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member since 2004, is presiding over the Council of the European Union throughout the second half of 2012.