Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visits Cyprus today in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations with concrete outcomes, in the first bilateral visit by an Italian prime minister to the country in 36 years.
The visit follows President Nikos Christodoulides’ trip to Rome last February and the historic visit to Cyprus by President Sergio Mattarella, the first Italian president to visit since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During Christodoulides’ previous meeting with Meloni, the two sides agreed to begin discussions on a joint partnership document. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the work has advanced and that conditions now exist to reflect progress in a more specific political and operational plan.
Letymbiotis said the visit aims to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a more structured level, with a specific roadmap, clear pillars of cooperation and tangible deliverables.
Defence and security are expected to be high on the agenda, both bilaterally and within the framework of the quadrilateral cooperation between Cyprus, Greece, France and Italy.
Energy will also be discussed, including the key presence of Italian company ENI in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone. The agenda will also cover digital connectivity, trade, tourism, education and culture. According to Letymbiotis, Italy is Cyprus’s third-largest trading partner.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of the Republic of Cyprus as an integral part of regional connectivity, especially the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, IMEC.
Letymbiotis said the talks will also cover the work and deliverables so far of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with emphasis on its external dimension and on deepening cooperation with countries of the southern neighbourhood and the wider Middle East.
On European defence and security, the two sides will discuss the need to speed up implementation of the European Union’s defence agenda, as well as further discussion on the operational application of Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union, following an initiative by the Republic of Cyprus.
The two leaders will also exchange views on key European agenda issues, including Ukraine, migration, competitiveness and the Multiannual Financial Framework, as well as regional developments in the Middle East and the wider region.
Christodoulides will brief Meloni on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and on efforts by the Greek Cypriot side to resume substantive talks within the agreed framework, as well as in line with the principles, values and acquis of the European Union.