Cyprus and Bahrain agree to enhance relations

Cyprus and Manama agreed to expedite work to draw up a number of interstate Agreements that are under negotiation and to intensify contacts.

The decision was taken during Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides’ official visit to Bahrein where he met with his counterpart, Sheik Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.

During the meeting and bilateral discussions, the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations and ascertained the excellent level of cooperation, the two countries’ mutual approach on a number of regional and international issues and their common desire to strengthen cooperation.

During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the field of Energy was signed while the intention to open an Embassy of the Republic in Manama within 2019 was announced.

The two sides agreed to speed up deliberations to draw up a number of interstate agreements currently under negotiation and to intensify contacts at various levels. Within this framework, the FM of Manama will visit Cyprus in the near future, accompanied by a group of business people while
 
Christodoulides informed his counterpart on the three pillars of the Republic’s foreign policy with an emphasis on regional cooperation among states in the wider Middle East region as well as the need to strengthen relations with the EU and countries in the region through common actions that aim at handling today’s challenges.

The two further examined Gulf relations with the EU and especially Bahrain while Christodoulides invited Bahrain to take part in the multinational manoeuvres entitled “Nemesis” and “Argonaftis” organised by the Republic of Cyprus.

The Cypriot FM was also received by Crown Prince of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad al Khalifa, where the excellent longstanding relations of the two countries were confirmed. They also examined ways to further enhance them.

Christodoulides met with the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bahrain, Samir Nass and agreed to sign a memorandum of cooperation between the chambers of the two countries to boost economic and commercial relations between the two countries.

The Cypriot Minister returns home on Friday morning.