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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to visit Cyprus on Sunday, in a trip aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and turning political goodwill into concrete cooperation plans.
Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the visit builds on previous discussions between President Nikos Christodoulides and Meloni, during which both sides agreed to work on a joint partnership framework. He said those talks have now progressed enough to move toward a more detailed political and operational roadmap.
Relations between Cyprus and Italy, he said, are currently at their highest level, shaped by “stable political trust, systematic dialogue, and shared European values,” particularly on issues linked to the Mediterranean region, including security, energy, resilience, and connectivity.
The goal of Sunday’s meeting, officials said, is to further formalize that cooperation with clearer priorities and measurable outcomes.
A major focus of the talks will be defense and security, both bilaterally and through wider regional formats involving Cyprus, Greece, France and Italy. Energy is also expected to feature prominently, with Italian energy giant Eni playing a significant role in Cyprus’ offshore gas exploration within its exclusive economic zone.
Other topics on the agenda include digital connectivity and trade and investment, as well as tourism, education, and cultural cooperation. Italy is currently Cyprus’ third-largest trading partner, underscoring the economic importance of the relationship.
Officials also said Cyprus’ role in broader regional infrastructure projects, including the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), will be discussed. Cyprus is positioning itself as a key link in Mediterranean connectivity efforts, while Italy is considered a founding partner of the initiative.
European Union issues will also be on the table, including defense policy, migration, competitiveness, and the bloc’s long-term budget planning. Cyprus is expected to present updates on its priorities as it prepares for its upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Regional developments in Ukraine and the Middle East will also be reviewed alongside Cyprus’ longstanding efforts to restart peace talks on the divided island.
Letymbiotis noted that Italy has consistently supported Cyprus's positions on the Cyprus problem, based on international law and EU principles, describing the visit as both politically and symbolically significant.
He also pointed out that this is the first bilateral visit by an Italian prime minister to Cyprus in 36 years, calling it part of a wider pattern of high-level diplomatic engagement that has recently included visits from leaders of France, the United Kingdom, India and the United Arab Emirates.
