Foreign Minister to visit Israel

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides departs on Thursday for a working visit to Israel, during which he will discuss bilateral relations, energy developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, the trilateral cooperation between Cyprus, Israel and Greece, the Cyprus problem, EU-Israel relations, and various regional issues of mutual interest.

According to a press release, Christodoulides will have separate meetings with President of the State of Israel Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Minister of Energy Yuval Steinitz.

Nicosia will be looking for strong Israeli backing for its energy search - which is opposed by Turkey - as both countries seek to pool their natural resources in the region.

Christodoulides will also have a working lunch with Michael Oren, Deputy Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office in Charge of Public Diplomacy.

Seizing the opportunity of his visit to Israel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will also meet with Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs will return to Cyprus on 23 March.