(Photo: Haim Tzach / Lem)
President Yitzhak Herzog went on a state visit to Greece this Thursday, at the invitation of Greek President Katrina Sclaropolo. Then, on March 2, the President will visit Cyprus and meet with the President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadis. Apparently, the trip to Greece and Cyprus was intended to calm and strengthen relations with the two countries, ahead of Herzog’s expected visit to Turkey and his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Herzog visiting the Emirates. Archive (Photo: Spokeswoman for the President’s House)
Herzog will open his visit to Greece with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, and later arrive at the Presidential Palace – where he will be received at a state reception and meet with the President of Greece, who will also host a state lunch. The president will then hold a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsutakis.
Later in the day, the president will also meet with Greek parliament president Konstantinos Tesolas and opposition leader and former prime minister Alexis Tsipras.
In Cyprus, the President will be received at a state reception where the national anthems will be played. There will then be a private meeting with the President of Cyprus and an extended bilateral meeting attended by the delegations, during which the presidents will make statements. The President will also host a state luncheon at the invitation of the President of Cyprus.
“I thank my fellow Greek President Katrina Scleropolo and the President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadis for their warm invitation,” Herzog said ahead of his visits. “In my meetings in the countries, I will discuss with the leadership and other senior government officials steps to expand and deepen the fruitful cooperation between our peoples. In particular, we will discuss the possibilities of regional cooperation in the fight against the climate crisis in the Mediterranean basin.”
He further clarified that “Israel, Greece and Cyprus maintain an alliance of stability in the Mediterranean. My state visits reflect the deep friendships between the peoples and our strategic partnership, which is reflected in continuous talks I have held since I took office – with President Scleropolo, with “Prime Minister Mitsotakis, whom I also recently hosted for a friendly conversation during his visit to Israel, and with the President of Cyprus Anastasiadis and their staff.”
Did you find a mistake in the article? Does the content in the article infringe your copyright? Encountered an inappropriate advertisement? Report to us