Israeli FM: Cyprus- Israel relations are in their best period

Page last updated at 11:26 GMT, Tuesday, April 17, 2012 - 16:26 EST

CNA - Cyprus - Israel bilateral relations are in their best period, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has said.

Lieberman, who is currently on a three-day official visit to Cyprus, met here Tuesday the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Neoclis Sylikiotis.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Sylikiotis said they discussed the prospects of further expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of energy, tourism and investments.

The Cypriot Minister said he briefed the Israeli Foreign Minister on the simplification of procedures to attract investment in Cyprus and noted that Israeli companies are already operating in Cyprus.

On tourism, Sylikiotis said on these issues there is coordination with the competent ministries and the Cyprus Tourism Organization in order to take measures to increase the tourist flow between the two countries

He announced that he will continue discussions on these issues during his upcoming visit to Israel where he will meet with his Israeli counterparts.

He noted that the current visit of Israeli Foreign Minister as well as previous visits of Israeli official to Cyprus contribute to broadening and deepening cooperation between the two countries in all fields.

Referring to Cyprus - Israel cooperation, Lieberman said that many projects are currently underway in the fields of tourism, management of water resources and energy. In his remarks he referred to Israeli investments in industry and real estate in Cyprus.

He noted that bilateral relations continue to develop at a good pace and announced that the Finance Minister of Israel will visit Cyprus next month.

In conclusion, Israeli Minister said he was pleased with the fact that Cyprus - Israel relations are in their best period and expressed the hope that they would yield tangible results.