NICOSIA, Wednesday, June 15, 2022 – President Mahmoud Abbas today concluded a three-day official visit to Cyprus.

President Abbas began his visit with a meeting with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. He also held separate meetings with political leaders, including Democratic Rally Party leader Averof Neofytou, DIKO Party leader Nikolas Papadopoulos, and AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou, as well as with the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Cyprus, Chrysostomos II.

During his visit, President Abbas laid a wreath at the tomb of Makarios III, the former Archbishop of Cyprus and the first President of the Republic, who is remembered as a national symbol and a leader of the Cypriot anti-colonial struggle.

On the sidelines of the visit, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad al-Malki and Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides signed a memorandum of understanding and a cooperation agreement. The agreements aim to enhance bilateral relations, promote coordination in areas such as gender equality and women’s empowerment, and strengthen cooperation in diplomatic training and other fields.