Israeli FM asks Cyprus to serve as moderator in its talks with EU countries

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi requested that Cyprus serves as a moderating voice in Israel’s talks with European countries, the Isreaeli Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson said Wednesday.

The request was issued during Ashkenazi’s talks with his Cypriot counterpart Nicos Christodoulides in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.

According to the press release, the two Foreign Ministers discussed bilateral and regional issues that are of mutual interest to the two countries.

"FM Ashkenazi confirmed Israel’s commitment to promoting a responsible political process in coordination with the various elements in the region while maintaining Israel’s strategic and security interests based on US President Donald Trump’s peace plan.”

Moreover, according to the Israeli MFA spokesperson, "FM Ashkenazi and FM Christodoulides also discussed opening the skies for aviation in the near future. FM Ashkenazi noted that Israel is working to reduce the level of morbidity in the country, a fact that will allow the opening of the skies for travel and the renewal of tourism between the countries".

The two Foreign Ministers also discussed cooperation in the field of energy in the eastern Mediterranean and the trilateral cooperation between Israel, Cyprus and Greece, it is added.

FM Ashkenazi said that: “Israel and Cyprus share many common interests in the strategic, political, economic and security spheres. Every visit strengthens this important relationship and partnership in the eastern Mediterranean. I am very pleased that FM Christodoulides chose Israel as the first country to visit in the Corona era, indicating the strong and stable friendship and the ties of solidarity between the two states, who are this year marking the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship," he concluded.