Manama: Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, convened at Al-Gudaibiya Palace to discuss expanding cooperation across various sectors of mutual interest. The meeting also included Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the leaders explored opportunities for collaboration in key areas such as the economy, investment, trade, culture, and tourism. King Hamad emphasized the commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and expressed hope for a strategic partnership between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council. He commended Cyprus for its role in Europe and the Mediterranean and its support for Arab issues, particularly the Palestinian cause.
The Cypriot President expressed gratitude for the warm reception and highlighted the significance of his visit, which coincides with Cyprus' presidency of the Council of the European Union. He acknowledged the expanding bilateral cooperation, which now includes defense, security, and other key sectors. The visit also serves as an opportunity for further cooperation at regional and international levels, given Bahrain's current presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
During their discussions, the two leaders attended the signing of several agreements and memorandums of understanding. These included mutual academic recognition of higher education qualifications, cultural cooperation, military collaboration, and advancements in technology and communications. Additionally, Cyprus was granted the status of an official partner for Bahraini maritime and air freight services, further solidifying the partnership between the two nations.