Cyprus and Greece have established a channel of communication to exchange experiences regarding health sector reform, Cyprus Health Minister Philippos Patsalis said on Monday, after meeting his Greek counterpart Adonis Georgiades, in Athens.

According to an official announcement, the meeting was held on the sidelines of the EU Informal Meeting of Ministers for Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO), in the Greek capital, on April 28 and 29.

The two Ministers exchanged views on common challenges both countries are facing in the health sector and discussed further cooperation potential.

Among other issues, they discussed hospital reform and bilateral matters on the treatment of Cypriot patients in Greece, Patsalis noted.

Georgiades said from his part that both countries can implement the necessary reforms, in order to spend less on better health services.

Ministers attending the Informal EPSCO meeting discussed, inter alia, the impact of immigration on public health. Patsalis noted during his intervention the need for cooperation and coordination among member states and called on European and international organizations to provide technical assistance to countries that are more exposed to this problem, like Cyprus.

Patsalis met also with European Commissioner for Health Tonio Borg and WHO Europe Regional Director Zsuzsanna Jakab.