Enhancing cooperation across the Euro-Mediterranean region: UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel holds his first official visit to Cyprus

Nicosia, 2 December 2019. Upon the invitation of Nikos Christodoulides, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, UfM Secretary General, Nasser Kamel, paid his first official visit to Nicosia, in the framework of his outreach to the UfM member states.

During their meeting, Secretary General Kamel expressed his appreciation to the Minister for the determination of his Government to continue to play an active and constructive role within the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean. On his side, Minister Christodoulides expressed the value and potential he sees in the very promising relationship between Cyprus and the UfM.

“Given that 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Barcelona Process, […] our deliberations today are not only particularly timely but they come, as well, at a symbolic juncture, added Foreign Minister Christodoulides. […] We therefore had the opportunity to hold a forward-looking exchange of views on a variety of issues pertaining to the broad agenda of the Union, acknowledging the unique role that this intergovernmental institution can continue to play in the years to come, in enhancing cooperation across the entire Mediterranean region.”

The visit to Cyprus was also the opportunity for the Secretary General to meet with Constantinos Kadis, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development ‎and Environment of Cyprus, to discuss the preparations of the forthcoming UfM-Cyprus COP25 side-event, held on Thursday 12 December 2019 (14:30-16:00 – EU Pavilion), under the title: “A science-policy interface on risks of climate and ‎environmental change in the Mediterranean region and Middle ‎East”.

The Secretary General held meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Culture as well, with regards to the implementation of a Cyprus initiated platform on education, to engage young people in environmental issues, based on the principles of sustainable development.

Finally, aiming to further enhance the country’s engagement in UfM activities, UfM Secretary General met with Demetris Syllouris President of the House of ‎Representatives of Cyprus, during the visit. Of great interest was the proposal by President Syllouris to launch a Middle East cooperation center, establishing Cyprus as a center for peace, cooperation and learning, especially for the Arabic language and culture. SG Kamel warmly welcomed the idea and offered the UfM Secretariat support for its development.

Read the full statement to the Press by Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, after the deliberations with the UfM Secretary General here:https://www.pio.gov.cy/en/press-releases-article.html?id=11032#flat