President of Germany Visits Cyprus for the First Time

The President of Germany is visiting the Republic of Cyprus for the first time on a state visit. Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived on the island yesterday evening at the invitation of Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides.

This is the first visit by a German president to Cyprus since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It is expected that during the trip, Frank-Walter Steinmeier will emphasize the close ties between Germany and Cyprus.

"After 20 years since Cyprus joined the European Union and 50 years since the island's division, this trip to a country in the eastern Mediterranean will also pay tribute to the close partnership with an EU member state that is in a unique political and geographical situation," said the German presidency's statement.

This morning, the German leader will be received at the Presidential Palace by the head of state, Nikos Christodoulides. After a brief welcoming ceremony for the two presidents, there will be meetings and extended discussions between the delegations of both countries. Following these negotiations, the heads of state will make joint statements to the media.

After the official part, the leaders will visit the Nicosia Municipality, and then the old city of the capital along the green line.

"The visit of the President of Germany along the ceasefire line to the last divided capital in Europe is both symbolic and of great significance," emphasized the Official Spokesperson of the Cyprus Government, Constantinos Petrides.

It is also expected that Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit the Anthropological Laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons and meet with UNFICYP peacekeepers and the leadership of the Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation, as well as make visits to the House of Europe and the Goethe Institute.

In the evening, Nikos Christodoulides will host an official dinner at the Presidential Palace in honor of the President of Germany.