The informal European Council in Malta is the next stop of President Anastasiades, who concluded on Wednesday an official visit in Jordan. On Thursday, the President of Cyprus will attend deliberations of EU leaders on the handling of the refugee crisis, while prior to the Summit he will meet with Greek Premier Alexis Tsipras.
After Jordan, where the President of Cyprus met with King Abdullah II and the country’s Prime Minister, Anastasiades is expected to discuss with Tsipras a series of issues, in search of policy coordination with Athens.
As CNA learns, the two men will discuss Tsipras’ upcoming visit to Turkey, on November 17 and 18, as well as their stance regarding the humanitarian crisis, including Ankara’s role.
The President of Cyprus is expected to convey to the Summit a proposal by Nicosia, to extend EU support to more countries in the region hosting large numbers of refugees, including Jordan and Lebanon. In this framework, Anastasiades will ask Tsipras to align their action.
After the Summit in Valetta, President Anastasiades will depart for Israel, where he will meet on Friday morning with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Later in the afternoon, he will also visit the President of the State of Palestine Mahmud Abbas, in Ramallah.
CNA/AGK/GV/2015
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY