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President Nicos Christodoulides of the Republic of Cyprus welcomed Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, on Thursday as she arrived in Cyprus to participate in the 11th Summit of the Mediterranean Member States of the European Union (MED9). The two leaders visited the picturesque coastal front of Paphos in the afternoon.
Von der Leyen's visit underscores the European Union's commitment to fostering cooperation among Mediterranean member states. The MED9 Summit, scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m., will focus on key issues affecting the region, including economic development, security, and migration.
In a statement from the World Food Programme (WFP), it was noted that both leaders are keen to strengthen ties between the EU and its Mediterranean partners. Their visit to the Paphos seafront highlighted the importance of tourism and environmental sustainability for the local economy.
As part of her visit, von der Leyen will also participate in the inauguration of a new Dialysis Unit at the Paphos General Hospital, a significant development for healthcare services in the region. The opening ceremony is set for tomorrow morning and reflects the ongoing efforts to enhance medical facilities and patient care in Cyprus.
Later on Thursday evening, President Christodoulides will host a social dinner for von der Leyen, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a productive summit focused on collaboration and shared challenges faced by Mediterranean nations.
As leaders gather in Paphos for the MED9 Summit, the discussions are anticipated to pave the way for further integration and solidarity among EU member states in the Mediterranean region.
