Cypriot Pres.: Strategic EU-Lebanon partnership constitutes constant priority

BRUSSELS, Jan 7 (KUNA) -- The President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides has affirmed his commitment to establishing a strategic and comprehensive partnership between the European Union and Lebanon.
This came on Wednesday in a statement published on "X" during Christodoulides' reception of visiting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on what he described as "a truly historic day" for Cyprus, coinciding with the country's official assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union Christodoulides stressed that with Cyprus holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, this partnership will remain a key priority at all levels throughout the Presidency.
Christodoulides affirmed that President Aoun's presence carries both substantive and symbolic significance, reflecting the depth of Cypriot Lebanese relations and the importance Nicosia attaches to relations between the European Union and Lebanon, which Cyprus has long championed.
He explained that during his country's Presidency of the Council, he will continue to underscore the need to maintain sustainable and strengthened relations between the European Union and Lebanon, "in a manner that serves mutual interests and enhances stability and cooperation in the region".
In this context, the Cypriot President welcomed the clear endorsement by the European Commission of this approach, as reflected in the joint statement issued following the ninth meeting of the EU-Lebanon Association Council. He also pointed to the planned visit to Lebanon by the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission.
He considered that this visit constitutes "a strong and timely signal" reflecting Europe's deepening engagement with Lebanon and reaffirming the EU's willingness to strengthen its relations and partnership with Beirut in the coming phase. (end) arn.hm