President of the Republic Demetris Christofias arrived in Amman Wednesday afternoon for a two-day official visit at the invitation of King Abdullah. This is the first time a Cyprus President is visiting Jordan.
According to an official announcement, upon arrival at Amman airport, President Christofias who is accompanied by Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Neoklis Sylikiotis, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou, and his wife Elsi, inspected a military contingent.
Later on Cyprus President and his wife were received by King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan at the Palace.
The King and the Cypriot President inspected a military contingent and the national anthems of the two countries were played.
President Christofias and his wife later had a meeting with the royal couple of Jordan followed by talks between delegations of the two countries.
Speaking to the press President Christofias said that the visit puts in the base for bilateral cooperation, adding that he extended an invitation to Kind Abdullah to visit Cyprus.
He also said that this is the first time a Cypriot President is paying a visit to Jordan and thus he is very pleased.
The President described Kind Abdullah as a man with “a modern philosophy and principles” on various international issues, on the Cyprus problem and the Palestinian question.
He added that despite the economic issues Jordan is faced with, it is hosting millions of Palestinians and Syrians who flew the country because of the current situation, expressing the hope the violence to end soon.
President said that Cyprus shares friendship relations with Jordan and the current visit aims to further strengthen these ties and to establish a cooperation in various fields such as tourism, trade, education and culture.
He also said that the King referred to the Cyprus problem and expressed his support to our views and ideas for the solution.
Asked about the discussions which took place between the delegations of the two countries, President Christofias said that they focused on the relations of the EU with the countries of the region as well as Cyprus’ contribution to that direction.
Last night President Christofias , his wife and the Cypriot delegation attended a dinner hosted by Kind Abdullah and his spouse.
During the visit, President Christofias will also meet Jordanian Prime Minister Fayez al-Tarawneh, President of the Senate Taher Masri and President of the of Parliament Abdel Karim Doughmi.
He will also address a business forum, in the presence of the Jordanian Premier.
Nicosia and Amman will sign a Cooperation Agreement in Public Health and Medical Sciences. In addition to that, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed on Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Saving between the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Cyprus and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Jordan.
Furthermore, a Cooperation Agreement will be signed between the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its Jordanian counterpart body, along with a Memorandum of Understanding between Cyprus and Amman Stock Exchanges.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-backed talks have been taking place since 2008 with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof.
