President Anastasiades begins official meetings in Bahrain

The President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, begins his official meetings today in Bahrain.

He arrived yesterday in Manama, the nation’s capital, and was greeted by the Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Ayman Al-Moayed amidst a welcoming military procession.

The president was accompanied by an entourage of government officials that included Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulidis, the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Natasa Pilidis, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Costas Kadis, the Deputy Minister of Tourism Savvas Perdios.

He will be received today by King Hamad bin Isa Khalifa at the Gudhaibiya Palace, with whom he will attend talks with delegation heads of both countries.

"The visit is part of the Government's decision to develop a network of bilateral relations with the Arab Gulf countries," according to the Office of the President.

During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding for Economic and Technical Cooperation will be signed. Including a mutual agreement for the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports.

According to the Office of the President, "The Government considers the further development of relations with Bahrain to be particularly important, as it upgrades the multilateral approach to our foreign policy. Furthermore, it is also an opportunity for mutual information and exchange of views on the latest developments in the wider region, with emphasis on the Turkish challenges against Cyprus."