(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
The visit of President of the Republic of Cyprus H E Dr. Nikos Christodoulides to Doha comes as part of the State of Qatar's principles and keenness to build bridges and enhance openness and cooperation with various countries and peoples.
The Amir H H sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will receive yesterday President of the Republic of Cyprus H E Dr. Nikos Christodoulides at the Amiri Diwan to discuss bilateral relations and their prospects, in addition to a number of issues of common interest. The visit and discussions open broad horizons for strengthening, developing and advancing relations between the two countries in various fields to serve the interests of the two countries and their peoples.
Qatar and Cyprus have strong, long-term friendly relations based on mutual respect and shared visions on many international and regional issues, as well as the shared desire of the leaderships of the two countries to raise the level of bilateral cooperation in various fields. Diplomatic relations between Qatar and Cyprus were established in 2001. They culminated in the opening of resident embassies in the capitals of the two countries. The embassy of the Republic of Cyprus was opened in Doha in 2004, while the Qatari Embassy was opened in Nicosia in 2007, as the first Gulf embassy in the Republic of Cyprus.
Since that time, relations between the two countries have witnessed rapid development in all fields, especially in the field of reconstruction and gas. These relations also provides abundant opportunities that add to the Qatari economy an active and extremely important base station in the middle of the Mediterranean, as Qatar is always keen to expand the circle of its international relations and diversify the fields and locations of foreign investments, as well as build bridges of constructive and fruitful cooperation with all peoples and countries of the world. There is a group of agreements and MOU that regulate relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Cyprus and cover political, economic, commercial, technical, educational, legal, health, and tourism cooperation and in the field of energy and seawater desalination, in addition to the banking and financial sector, encouraging and protecting mutual investments and air transport, avoiding double taxation and preventing financial evasion with regard to income taxes. Relations between Doha and Nicosia have been strengthened through mutual visits at various levels, the most important of which was the visit of the Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani to the Republic of Cyprus in 2010, which resulted in the strengthening and development of bilateral relations and the signing of a number of important agreements between the two countries. In 2009, former President of Cyprus H E Demetris Christofias visited Doha while former President H E Nicos Anastasiades visited in 2014, heading a high-level official and commercial delegation, which included a number of ministers and more than 60 businessmen and representatives of major national and private companies in Cyprus.
In the context of that visit, the former President, in a speech during a ceremony organized by Cyprus' Embassy in Doha, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Qatar-Cyprus Business Forum and the Cypriot Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, highlighted the importance that his country attaches to enhancing and strengthening its economic relations with the State of Qatar, pointing out that his visit to Doha emphasizes the importance that Cyprus attaches to improving and strengthening these relations. He expressed his happiness that it was confirmed during an expanded session with the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, that they shared the common goal of strengthening and expanding cooperation between Doha and Nicosia, especially in the economic field, in order to inaugurate a new era of prosperity between the two countries.
He stated that there are promising opportunities for growth in many other sectors in Cyprus, including maritime transport, tourism, large-scale development projects, education, health, research and renewable energy, noting that all of these sectors were discussed during the official meetings that took place with the Amir Thani, as well as among the ministers from both countries. H E called on Qatari businessmen to explore investment opportunities in his country and create commercial and economic partnerships between Qatari and Cypriot companies, stressing his country's readiness to encourage all Qatari investments in this field.
In an indication of the prominence of Qatari-Cypriot relations, former President Nicos Anastasiades witnessed the opening ceremony of the new Qatari embassy building in Nicosia, in December 2021. During the opening ceremony, an official announcement was made that the name of the street on which the Embassy building was located in will be changed to Qatar Steet while the park adjacent to the Embassy Building was called Doha Park.
In a speech on this occasion, he said that the political and economic relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the State of Qatar witnessed important development and continuous growth over the past years. With large-scale development projects, education, health, research and renewable energy, the Cyprus's government aims to maintain reputation as a reliable financial center and attractive investment destination.
It is estimated that the contribution of the technology sector to the Cypriot economy amounted to 3 billion euros last year (2022), through more than 1,200 foreign companies. Shipping is one of the most important pillars of the Cypriot economy and has contributed significantly to its GDP over the years. The island is considered the largest ship management center in Europe and one of the largest in the world. It also has a major maritime group of more than 250 shipping companies offering a wide range of shipping-related activities such as ship management, chartering and marine insurance.
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