Manama: The Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Cyprus are seeking to advance their partnership and build on the progress of their bilateral relations, the Cypriot Foreign Minister said during his visit to the Kingdom.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Minister Dr. Constantinos Kombos stated that the trip was an opportunity to take stock of the progress achieved so far and discuss the outlook of the partnership between the two countries in many areas. He highlighted the close cooperation being forged in new areas such as defence and security, education, culture, health, tourism, trade, and investments.
The Minister expressed his appreciation to the Bahraini leadership, extending his sincere gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa for their support in advancing bilateral ties. He praised the visionary leadership that has established Bahrain as a beacon of international and regional cooperation, noting the upcoming hosting of the 33rd Arab Summit in May 2024 in Manama as an example.
The relationship between Cyprus and Bahrain is founded on mutual respect, people-to-people ties, and shared experiences as island nations. The Minister noted the long-standing connection, with Bahrain being among the first countries Cyprus signed an Air Services Agreement with, and Gulf Air operating direct flights to Cyprus since 1976.
Over the years, the two countries have signed a series of agreements enhancing cooperation, including political consultations, avoidance of double taxation, and collaboration in health, energy, and tackling crime organizations. Cyprus and Bahrain also work closely within multinational organizations like the United Nations, where their like-minded approach is evident on international and regional issues.
The opening of a resident Embassy of Cyprus in Manama last year marked a significant milestone, with Cyprus now having resident Embassies in all GCC capitals. The Minister described Bahrain as a strategic partner and emphasized the importance of economic, trade, and investment cooperation. He pointed out the potential for Cyprus to be a gateway for Bahraini businesses to the European market and vice versa.
Tourism was highlighted as another area of cooperation, with Gulf Air operating four direct flights per week to Cyprus. The Minister sees potential for increasing tourist exchanges between the two nations. He also emphasized the significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) initiative, with Cyprus's strategic location providing a link between the Gulf region and Europe.
The Minister thanked Bahraini authorities for supporting the Cypriot community in the Kingdom and reaffirmed Cyprus's commitment to strengthening ties. He expressed the intent to deepen people-to-people and business-to-business partnerships, with plans to utilize the EU Presidency in 2026 to expand EU-GCC relations.
The visit, signaling a new chapter in the relationship between the two island nations, included meetings with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.