Presidents of Cyprus and Israel reaffirm close ties

Presidents of Israel and Cyprus, Reuven Rivlin and Nicos Anastasiades, who met today in Jerusalem, reaffirmed the close ties as well as the increasing cooperation between the two countries.
 
President Anastasiades visits Israel to attend the events in Israel, commemorating the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
 
Welcoming President Anastasiades, Rivlin said “we are glad to have with us such good friends.”
 
“We are looking forward to further our cooperation in the field of energy to the benefit of the welfare of our people,” Rivlin said according to a press release issued by the Cypriot Presidency.
 
The Israeli head of state also referred to the close cooperation between the two states not only in the field of tourism, but also in water management, agriculture, industry security and cybersecurity.
 
«We are very happy about the relationship we have and we can extend it. We are very close and we can do much better. It is a great honor that you are with us,» he added.  
 
On his part, Anastasiades said the two countries "have managed to build such strong ties, bearing in mind the strong bonds we have from the past," adding that "2000 babies were born in Cyprus during the second world war when the Jews came to Cyprus."

President Anastasiades further said «we share excellent relations and we are building up such a strong alliance facing all the challenges in the area, based always on international law, on the principles of democracy, of peace and security in the area.»

Referring to the trilateral and multilateral cooperation and the mechanisms set up for the benefit of the peoples of the participating countries as well as for peace, security, and stability in the region, the President said that "we are not excluding anyone, but what we are asking from those who would like to be in this block of friends for peace, security, and stability in the area, is for them to respect international law, human rights, the independence, and sovereign rights, and the dignity of any country."

"I believe that what we are building up through the trilateral, through the multilateral cooperation and synergies is in the best interest of our peoples," he added.

However, he pointed out that "some of our neighbours, unfortunately, without respect for international law have been trying to play a bigger role than they are entitled to. But I am sure that, at the very end, the law will prevail, logic will prevail, peace will prevail, and the need to be together, all of us in the area, will prevail, because it is in the interest of each one of the nations in the area.
 
President Anastasiades also held a meeting with the leader of the Israeli Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz reaffirming the excellent relations between the two countries.
 
According to a press release issued by the Cypriot Presidency, during the meeting Gantz expressed his gratitude over Cyprus’ position against antisemitism as well his appreciation for Cyprus adoption of the IHRA definition on antisemitism.