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The meeting of the President of the Republic Mr.Nicos Christodoulides with Pope Francis I was of particular importance both on a substantive and symbolic level, said Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letibiotis.
In his statements to journalists, after the meeting of the President of the Republic with Pope Francis I in the Holy See, the Spokesman said: "It was a visit by the President of the Republic of the Republic of particular importance and symbolism. Mr Christodoulides' first as President of the Republic, but held in view of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations.
And this is a symbolism that the President of the Republic raised to the Pontiff.
With a view to further improving the already excellent relations between Cyprus and the Holy See, the President of the Republic discussed with the Pontiff the developments in our region and outlined to him the initiative that the Republic of Cyprus has undertaken to create a maritime corridor for the provision of humanitarian aid to the civilian population of Gaza and our concerns about the possible escalation of the crisis in the region. He also mentioned that all the efforts that Cyprus can make as a state in the region, due to the excellent relations it has maintained in recent years with the states in the region, are being made with regard to the possible de-escalation of the crisis. Cyprus and Italy as frontline states of the European Union (EU) have faced and are facing large migratory flows and it is here that our aspirations and objectives are common with Italy and the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
They also had the opportunity to discuss the Cyprus problem, our side's efforts to resume negotiations from where they have been interrupted and the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to preserve and protect our religious and cultural heritage in the occupied territories.
During the meeting it was reported that more than 500 religious and cultural monuments in the occupied territories, including Maronite churches, are in danger of collapse. Several have already collapsed and it is here that further strengthening of the efforts of the relevant technical committees is needed so that these unique, incomparably rich religious monuments can be preserved."
Referring, moreover, to the President's meeting with the CEO of ENI later today, the Spokesman said: "On the occasion of the President's presence in Rome, this meeting was considered very important. ENI is active in several blocks of the Cypriot EEZ".
He added that: "Cyprus' energy plans are moving forward. Today the President of the Republic will discuss with the head of the company how ENI's work can be further accelerated or remain faithful to Cyprus' plans. Particularly after the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, the extraction - exploitation of Cypriot natural gas is of particular importance for the whole EU in its efforts for energy self-sufficiency and independence from Russian gas".
In response to a journalist's remark that ENI has indicated that it needs Turkey's permission to drill, the Spokesman said that "it is known, ENI has been positioned and a positioning has followed. It is known that ENI is active in many blocks and Cyprus' energy plans are proceeding normally. By the beginning of 2024 we expect how ENI's work will progress so that our energy planning can be completed."
(PM/EATH/NZ)
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