Visit of Minister of State for External Affairs of India Shri M.J. Akbar to Cyprus on 30 March-1 April 2017

Minister of State for External Affairs Shri M.J. Akbar paid an official visit to Cyprus on  30 March -1 April 2017.During the visit, he held delegation level talks with Cypriot Foreign Minister IoannisKasoulides and discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as important multilateral and regional issues of mutual concern.   Discussions focused on the forthcoming State visit of President of Cyprus to India, boosting trade and investment, particularly in the context of the scope for Cyprus' participation in various Flagship Programmes of India, and sectoral cooperation in areas like tourism, renewable energy, high technology etc.  Both Ministers discussed important multilateral issues such as United Nation reforms, multilateral export control regimes, draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism(CCIT) etc.  They exchanged views also on developments within the EU, West Asia and India's neighbourhood.

2. During the visit, MOS M.J. Akbar called on President of Cyprus  H.E. Mr. NicosAnastasiades.  MOS M.J. Akbar had meetings also with President of  House of Representatives of Cyprus DemetrisSyllouris, and President of Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives YiorgosLillikas.

3. The other engagements of MOS M.J. Akbar included a key note address by him on the theme, "A new era for business between Cyprus and India" at an interactive session attended by Cypriot entrepreneurs.  The event was organised by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Cyprus India Business Association.  Additionally,  he delivered a lecture titled, “Balance of Power and Pendulum of Power” at the Centre for European and International Affairs at the University of Nicosia.

4.  MOS M.J. Akbar and Foreign Minister IoannisKasoulidesjointly inaugurated at Ministry of Foreign Affairs premises astone “Konark Wheel” crafted by noted Indian sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra.MOS M.J. Akbar paid homage also at the Bust of Mahatma Gandhi located near Cyprus Parliament.

1 April 2017


High Commission of India Nicosia, Cyprus