Sleiman in Cyprus: "It is time to implement agreements", according to Cyprus ambassador for Lebanon.

BEIRUT, By Nayla Chahla | iloubnan.info - February 18, 2010

Cypriot President Dimitris Christophias hosting Lebanese President Michel Sleiman Photo: DALATI & NOHRA

Following the visit of the Lebanese President Michel Sleiman in Cyprus on the 12th and 13th of February, upon the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart Dimitris Christofias, the Cyprus Ambassador in Lebanon, Mr. Kiriakos Koros unveiled the main topics of the bilateral talks.

During a press conference held Wednesday February 17, 2010 at the embassy headquarters in Beirut, the ambassador of Cyprus in Lebanon Mr. Kiriakos Koros said Michel Sleimane’s visit to Cyprus aimed, above all, to tighten bilateral relations, and namely to promote tourism in both countries. "Since the official establishment of the Cyprus Embassy was officially established in Beirut, several contracts have been signed between the island and the country of cedars. Today, it is time to implement these contracts", the ambassador said.

“We must not forget that Cyprus is Lebanon’s third neighbor. Some seem to forget this fact, given the sea that separates the two countries", he reported."We should begin a new chapter in bilateral relations. This was the focus of discussions between the Lebanese and Cypriot officials," he said.

Referring to the plan of the visit, Mr Koros has reported several objectives discussed between Sleiman and Christophias. "First, Lebanon is the closest neighbor of Cyprus among the Middle-Eastern countries. Thus, It is of crucial importance to the island on several levels, mainly in terms of tourism and economy.” “Plus, the two countries share the same mentality, we can even say that they are connected through history," he explained.

Also according to the ambassador, the agenda of the visit also tackled the means of implementing the agreements concluded between the two countries, especially in emergencies, such as forest fires.

"These are the search-and-rescue operations carried out by firefighting helicopters, that the island initiated when fires ravaged forests in Lebanon," he said. These operations require, according to him, the establishment of a Civil Protection agency in Beirut to coordinate assistance with the appropriate agency in Cyprus; an issue that was seriously discussed in Cyprus.

In addition, renewable energy has also its part in the discussions. "Both sides outlined ways to explore solar energy. As it entered the European Union, Cyprus managed to invest in this field and seeks, now, to share its expertise with Lebanon", the ambassador said.

On the political level, Mr. Koros focused on the Lebanese support to the island in international forums. Lebanon, he said, should be alerted, and even sensitive on issues concerning Cyprus. "Being elected for the non-permanent seat within the Security Council but also as it is an integral part of the Arab League, Lebanon can now echo Cyprus requests in international forums," Koros said.

The two countries also stressed the need to comply with UN resolutions and move the peace process forward in the Middle East. "The two countries share many political opinions, particularly concerning the need to freeze the settlement process in the Palestinian territories and the importance to establish peace in the Middle East" he added.

To conclude, Mr. Koros stressed the need to coordinate between Lebanon and Cyprus and exchange experiences so as to meet the interests of both the Cypriots and the Lebanese. He also praised the key role assumed by the Maronite community in Cyprus, as it was serving as a cultural bridge between the Lebanese and the Cypriot society.