Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, met with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Christodoulides, during his visit to Cyprus and his participation in the EU Informal Ministerial Council on Maritime Transport and the Ministerial Conference on Seafarers.
After the conclusion of the meeting, Mr Kikilias said: “I was honoured to be received today at the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Cyprus by the President, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, and to have a very substantial and productive discussion on issues of shipping, maritime infrastructure, shipyards and energy, where both countries, Greece and Cyprus, are taking important steps forward for the benefit of their societies and peoples.”
Earlier, the Minister, accompanied by the Greek Ambassador to Cyprus, Constantinos Kollias, visited the Greek frigate “ELLI”, which is on the island to assist our country in the context of strengthening the deterrence capacity of the Republic of Cyprus, in the light of the current regional crisis.
After being shown around the frigate’s premises by the crew members, Mr. Kikilias said: “We are very proud because after 52 years since the Cypriot tragedy, we have Navy ships and F-16s on the island today and we stand by our Cypriot brothers and sisters. But also the whole of Hellenism is proud and with our heads held high, because we have an obligation to protect our homeland and our nation everywhere and especially here in Cyprus.”
Finally, the Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy laid a wreath at the Prisoner’s Memorial, a historical site of memory and sacrifice of Cypriot fighters.
