German president Steinmeier embarks on first ever state visit to Cyprus

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is set to embark on a state visit to Cyprus from February 11 to 13 at the invitation of Republic President Nikos Christodoulides.

This visit marks a historic occasion as it is the first time a German President has visited Cyprus since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President Steinmeier, accompanied by a delegation, is scheduled to arrive in Cyprus on the late afternoon of February 11.

On the morning of February 12, he will head to the Presidential Palace, where President Christodoulides will receive him. The two leaders will participate in a brief ceremony, exchanging medals, followed by a private meeting and extended talks between the respective delegations. Subsequently, they will address the press with statements.

Later in the day, Christodoulides and Steinmeier will visit Nicosia Town Hall and explore the old town along the Green Line. A lunch hosted by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry will follow.

In the afternoon, President Steinmeier is scheduled to visit the Anthropological Laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), meet with UNFICYP peacekeepers, and visit the House of Europe and Goethe Institute before meeting the President of the House of Representatives at the Parliament.

The day will conclude with an official dinner hosted by President Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace in honor of President Steinmeier.

On February 13, the German President will visit Makarios III Gymnasium in the Platy Aglantzia area of Nicosia, engaging with students. He will then proceed to the Kofinou Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers for a briefing by the Minister of Interior, Constantinos Ioannou.

President Steinmeier will tour the village of Lefkara in the Larnaca district, and the two leaders will have lunch in the village of Kato Dries before President Steinmeier's departure for Germany.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, with Turkey occupying its northern third. Despite multiple rounds of UN-led peace talks, no resolution has been achieved, and the latest round in July 2017 ended inconclusively at Crans-Montana.