There are no plans for the President of the Republic to meet with the Turkish President or the country’s Foreign Minister during his stay in Antalya, said Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letympiotis, while noting that conferences of this kind provide opportunities for bilateral contacts and meetings, even if they are not scheduled.
In remarks to reporters during the media briefing, and when asked whether the President of the Republic would seek to hold a meeting with the Turkish President or the country’s Foreign Minister while in Antalya, Mr. Letympiotis stated that no such plans exist.
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He referred to “the unique nature of this particular conference, taking into account what preceded it.” “Certainly, conferences of this kind, as has been the case in the past, lend themselves to bilateral contacts and meetings, even if these are not scheduled,” he added.
When asked whether the President would meet with the UN Secretary-General in Antalya, the Spokesperson noted that this would depend on Mr. Guterres’s schedule, taking into account the President’s brief stay in Antalya, as he will then travel to Dublin. “We will try to make it happen if possible,” he said, noting, however, that due to the tight schedule, he does not know if this will be feasible.
Furthermore, in his opening remarks, the Spokesperson provided details regarding the President’s trip to Antalya, Turkey, where he will participate in the Leaders’ Summit of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), and subsequently, in Dublin, where he will participate in the European Political Community (EPC) Summit and the informal European Council meeting, on November 12 and 13, respectively.
He noted that the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, is departing today, Tuesday, for Antalya, and that the President of the Republic’s participation in the COP31 Leaders’ Summit in Antalya “takes place within a specific diplomatic context, taking into account the circumstances surrounding the Conference and the diplomatic processes that preceded it, in close coordination with European institutions and the member states of the European Union (EE).”
As part of these processes, there was close and systematic coordination between the Republic of Cyprus and the European institutions and the EU member states, based on the common European position that the equal participation of all member states in international processes is a fundamental principle, he noted.
According to the Spokesperson, during the Leaders’ Summit on Wednesday, November 11, President Christodoulides will address the Heads of State and Government, “highlighting the Republic of Cyprus’s support for the common European position on strengthening global climate ambition, the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, and the acceleration of the fulfillment of international commitments.”
Particular emphasis, he said, be placed on the Republic of Cyprus’s regional Initiative on Climate Change in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, which serves as an essential framework for scientific cooperation, coordinated response to common risks, and the promotion of specific actions and projects to mitigate the impacts of and adapt to climate change.
At the same time, he continued, the President of the Republic will highlight the initiative undertaken during Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, to strengthen the EU’s strategic approach to international climate negotiations. He noted that this initiative includes seven actions, which were also advanced at the ministerial level, and their implementation is continuing under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The Spokesperson also mentioned that on the sidelines of the COP31 Leaders’ Summit, there will be an opportunity for the President of the Republic to hold bilateral meetings. In this context, he added, the President is also expected to meet with the President of the European Commission.
He went on to say that tomorrow, November 11, the President of the Republic will travel to Dublin, where on Thursday, November 12, he will participate in the EPC Summit, attended by leaders from across the European continent and focused on common challenges to security, stability, and cooperation in Europe.
President Christodoulides will specifically participate in the thematic discussion on “Securing and Defending a Democratic Europe,” during which contemporary geopolitical challenges, the strengthening of European security, and the protection of democratic institutions will be examined.
He also said that on Friday, November 13, the President of the Republic will participate in the informal European Council meeting, which will focus on Artificial Intelligence, with a particular emphasis on strengthening European competitiveness and technological autonomy, as well as on addressing the social challenges and security issues associated with the rapid development of new technologies.
“The Summit’s agenda is fully aligned with the priorities set by the Republic of Cyprus through the new National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence, with a horizon of 2032, which is being approved today by the Council of Ministers,” the Spokesperson noted.
“The convergence of national and European priorities is reflected in the shared goal of leveraging Artificial Intelligence as a driving force for competitiveness, productivity, innovation, and the modernization of the state, while ensuring its responsible and safe use,” he concluded.
He noted that the President of the Republic will return to Cyprus on Friday evening.
Source: CNA
