Ahern vows to strengthen links with Cyprus

Ireland and Cyprus today agreed to strengthen economic, trade and cultural ties between the two countries.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern hosted a working lunch at Government Buildings with the president of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, who is on a three-day official visit.

Mr Ahern said after the meeting that he was pleased to welcome Mr Papadopoulos, who was previously in Ireland for the EU Accession Day on May 1 last year.

“We had a very constructive meeting,” explained Mr Ahern.

“We focused on the developing relations between Cyprus and the EU and the potential for building up our bilateral relations, both political and economic.”

A Government spokesman said today’s wide-ranging meeting also included discussions on EU developments in the run-up to the European Council meeting, enlargement issues and future budget agreements.

“Both leaders welcomed the very positive relations which exist between Cyprus and Ireland and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic, trade and cultural ties,” the spokesman added.