Developments in the Cyprus issue and the ongoing Turkish provocations against the Republic of Cyprus, regional developments, Cyprus-Israel cooperation in the fields of defense and security, as well as cooperation in the field of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, were among the topics discussed. during today's meeting of the President of the Republic Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis with the Prime Minister of Israel Mr. Naftali Bennett, in Jerusalem.
The meeting took place in the context of the 8th tripartite Cyprus-Greece-Israel Summit, the first to be held with Mr. Bennett as head of the Israeli delegation.
Welcoming the President of the Republic, Prime Minister Bennett said that "relations between the two countries are stronger than ever, and this is largely due to your initiative and leadership and we understand this and appreciate it. At a time when the forces of destruction are trying to become even more destructive, it is even more important for us, the positive forces, to work together to ensure the prosperity, the defense, the economy of the Eastern Mediterranean. The relations between our two countries go beyond the common interests. We share common values and sometimes common problems and I look forward to the tripartite Summit ".
For his part, President Anastasiadis said, among other things, that the relations between the two countries are very close and continue to be strengthened for the benefit of the two peoples.
He added that the cooperation between the two countries is always based on the values of peace and stability in the framework of international law.
After the President's private meeting with the Prime Minister, extended talks took place between the delegations of the two countries, during which the bilateral relations were reviewed and the common will was expressed for their further strengthening.
The talks also discussed ways for the two countries to further co-operate in emergencies, such as extinguishing fires and dealing with crises in the region.
Extensive reference was also made to Climate Change, during which President Anastasiadis's initiative to address its effects on the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East and regional cooperation in this field and on the basis of the initiative was discussed.
Issues related to the energy sector were also discussed and the great importance of the electrical interconnection through projects such as the Eurasia interconnector was emphasized, as well as the contribution of the construction of the EastMed pipeline in the field of energy security in the region.
From the Cypriot side, the talks were attended by the Ministers of Defense Mr. Charalambos Petridis and the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Mr. Costas Kadis, the Government Spokesman Mr. Marios Pelekanos, the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Politikos Mr.
Subsequently, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two countries in the field of Scientific Cooperation. On the Cypriot side, the Memorandum was signed by the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, and on the Israeli side, by the Minister of Science and Technology, Ms. Orit Farkash-Hacohen.
Among other things, the Memorandum provides for cooperation in promoting research exchanges in scientific fields aimed at sustainable development and includes actions such as the support of joint research projects by scientists from the two countries, the joint conduct of seminars, scientific symposia and other related meetings. other cooperation activities.