President Rashid Visits Cyprus to Develop Bilateral Ties

Iraq 12:40 PM - 2023-12-13

Iraqi President Arrives in Cyprus

On Sunday, December 10, 2023, President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid and his delegation arrived in Cyprus upon an official invitation extended to him by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.
 
 In honor of His Excellency President of the Republic of Iraq Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid's visit to the Republic of Cyprus, the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, hosted an official reception ceremony on Monday, December 11, 2023. The visit follows an invitation from Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, who received the Iraqi President at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, the capital.

Cyprus and Iraqi presidents emphasize the need to promote collaboration

On Monday, President Rashid met with the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia.
 
President Rashid conveyed his appreciation for President Christodoulides's invitation to visit Cyprus. President Rashid praised Cyprus' eagerness to enhance bilateral relations, emphasizing Iraq's will to also enhance bilateral collaboration.
 
Iraq's cities are today marked by security and enjoy political and economic stability, so they are fertile ground for investment, President Rashid affirmed, adding that Iraq offers a great opportunity for positive bilateral relations since it welcomes Cypriot companies' participation in various economic, commercial, and tourism development projects.
 
President Rashid explained that it was imperative to activate the agreement signed between the two nations in 2015 on political consultation, especially since both nations had several common issues, including combating terrorism, refugee issues, immigration, and the positions of the two countries related to regional political issues.
 
President Rashid also highlighted the importance of establishing parliamentary friendship committees between Iraq and Cyprus, as well as the full implementation of memoranda of understanding on security cooperation, the agreement on double taxation avoidance, the agreement on tax evasion and preventing theft, the agreement on illegal importation and exportation, and agreements on the transfer of ownership of cultural property, and the call for their return.
 
Furthermore, President Rashid emphasized that it is imperative to establish air connections between the two countries to enhance tourism movement and facilitate communication between the two friendly nations.
 
On the Palestinian issue, President Rashid spoke of the conditions in Gaza and the efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire. He condemned ongoing aggressions against civilians, causing threats to children, women, and the elderly, and infrastructure damage. The Iraqi and Cypriot presidents emphasized that the international community must assume its responsibilities in this regard and that intensive humanitarian aid needs to be delivered to the people of Gaza.
 
President Christodoulides welcomed President Rashid's visit and expressed his appreciation to the Iraqi government for its efforts to develop communication and cooperation mechanisms with Cyprus to serve the well-being and prosperity of the two friendly nations. Additionally, he emphasized his country's eagerness to further develop ties with Iraq across various aspects.
 
In addition, the two presidents also presided over a meeting of the Iraqi and Cypriot government delegations, at which they discussed a series of strategic action plans that are expected to be implemented, as well as possible future agreements and treaties between the two countries.

Iraq President Visits Archeological Museum in Limassol, Cyprus

As part of his official visit to the Republic of Cyprus, President Rashid visited the Archaeological Museum on Monday. The Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, welcomed him to Limassol. 

President Rashid emphasized the importance of Cyprus's culture, history, and civilization—which is rich in literature and the arts—to the global human legacy. To fortify the friendship ties and advance the conversation between civilizations that unite the two friendly nations and people, he stated his wish to foster communication between Cyprus and Iraq. 

A key part of His Excellency's remarks focused on the importance of Cyprus' cultural and historical role and the civilization that has been created that contributes to the development of global culture. Furthermore, he affirmed his country's eagerness to develop communication between Cyprus and Iraq to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries and peoples and to enhance the dialogue of civilizations that bring them together.

President Meets Arab Ambassadors Accredited to Cyprus

At his Cyprus residence on Monday, President Rashid received several Arab ambassadors accredited to Cyprus. 
 
 During the meeting, recent developments in politics, economics, and security-related regional and international situations were discussed, and issues of common concern were reviewed. They also discussed military aggression and acts of violence perpetrated against Gaza's residents.
 
President Rashid discussed the progress made in Iraq's political, security, and economic affairs. His Excellency also discussed his visit to Cyprus, his meeting with President Christodoulides, and the agreements that resulted in expanding the scope of cooperation between the two countries in investment, economics, culture, and education. Furthermore, air connectivity was strengthened to stimulate tourism, strengthen relations between the Iraqi and Cypriot peoples, and strengthen communication mechanisms.
 
President Rashid also spoke about Iraq’s vision for achieving comprehensive peace, security, and economic stability in the region by expanding the horizons of constructive cooperation among Arab countries in a wide range of fields.
 
The region and its people are facing one of the most pressing challenges in the form of climate and environmental changes, as His Excellency emphasized while speaking with Arab ambassadors. As climate and environmental changes affect all lifestyles and have a direct impact on the factors that contribute to human advancement and development, they pose a significant challenge, he added.

President Rashid Visits Cypriot Parliament Headquarters

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, President Rashid paid a visit to the Cypriot Parliament's headquarters. Ms. Annita Demetriou, the Speaker of the Cyprus Parliament, greeted him during his visit. 
 
Discussions took place during the meeting regarding international developments in the political situation as well as issues of common concern.
 
According to the President, bilateral cooperation at the parliamentary level and the exchange of legal and legislative expertise between the Iraqi and Cypriot parliaments are crucial to be strengthened. It is imperative that the Iraqi-Cypriot Friendship Committee be formed and active communication between the two parties be fostered in such a way as to enhance the parliamentary process and the enactment of the legislation, he said.
 
His Excellency mentioned the positive outcome of the meeting he had with his Cypriot counterpart and the subsequent expanded meeting between the two government delegations. He considered it to be the fundamental foundation for creating a strong bilateral relationship that can meet both people's demands for further prosperity and progress.
 
An emphasis was placed in the meeting that cultural diplomacy should be pursued between Iraq and Cyprus, which facilitates cooperation in preserving archaeological sites and protecting the civilizational and cultural heritage of both countries.
 
Ms. Annita Demetriou was delighted to meet His Excellency, President Rashid. She confirmed her country's eagerness to further develop ties with Iraq in various fields in a way that would most serve both nations' citizens and promote global peace.

President Rashid Visits Cyprus University

Professor Tasos Christofidses, the rector of the University of Cyprus, along with other academics, college deans, and department heads welcomed President Rashid during his visit to the University of Cyprus University House "Anastasios G. Leventis" on Tuesday. 

The President visited several colleges and departments while on a campus tour as part of his visit to the university. He received a thorough explanation of the university's founding, areas of expertise, colleges, and most notable programmes and services offered to the community and students. In conducting his review, he looked at the university's plans, priorities, programmes, and most notable academic and scientific accomplishments across a range of disciplines. 
 
In the Senate Hall, His Excellency held a meeting with the Rector of the University of Cyprus, the Head of its Council, and the Vice-Rectors of the University to discuss ways to increase the academic and cultural cooperation between the University and various Iraqi educational institutions.
 
In his speech, President Rashid expressed the Iraqi government's desire to establish collaborative relationships between Iraqi universities and Cypriot universities and educational institutes. These bridges would facilitate the exchange of experiences, facilitate cooperative research projects, foster collaboration on scientific projects, and offer exceptional students and teaching staff members chances for academic exchange.
 
The President stated that Iraq has esteemed universities that maintain strong connections with several universities and worldwide research institutions. He asserts that both nations provide conducive conditions for scientific and technical collaboration. He emphasized the need to enhance it to fulfill the welfare and progress goals of both nations.
 
Professor Tasos Christofidses was delighted to have the opportunity to meet with the President. According to him, the University of Cyprus is pleased with President Rashid's visit, considering him to be a distinguished figure in the field of academia.
 
The Professor has verified that the University of Cyprus is actively pursuing enhanced communication and collaboration with scientific institutes and universities in Iraq. The aim is to elevate the standard of education and foster development in both nations.

The President Visits the Cyprus Institute (CYI)

President Rashid visited the Cyprus Institute (CYI) on Tuesday as part of his official visit to Cyprus.

Among those who welcomed His Excellency were the Head of the Cyprus Institute, Prof. Stavros Malas, the Institute's honorary president, the CEO of the Cyprus Research and Education Foundation (CREF), Costas N.Papanicolas, as well as many professors and department heads at the Institute.

As part of his tour, His Excellency was presented with an in-depth explanation of the institute's laboratories, including the Linear Fresnel Facility (LIFE), the Unmanned Systems Research Laboratory (USRL), the Andreas Pitas Art Laboratories (APAC), and the Advanced Computer Facility (HPC), as well as their contributions to their fields of specialization.

President Rashid and his delegation convened a meeting with the Head of the Institute and his top staff. President Rashid stated that Iraq's progress in creating scientific and research institutions has been delayed since the 1980s due to the significant time and resources expended in consecutive wars and counterterrorism efforts.

In addition, he emphasized that Iraq greatly requires the Institute's extensive expertise in various areas, specifically in science and technology centers focused on archaeology, the application of natural and material sciences to archaeology and cultural heritage, research in energy, the environment, and water, and other related fields.

In addition, His Excellency commended the work of the CYI in announcing the scholarships available to Iraqi students. He emphasized that these scholarships will be enhanced to foster greater friendship and collaboration between both nations.


PUKMEDIA / Iraqi Presidency