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 50th Birthday: Hon. Lanre Oladebo Felicitates Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa

The Member of the House of Representatives representing Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency, Hon. Lanre Omoleye Oladebo, has congratulated the Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Habitat, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

In a congratulatory message, Hon. Oladebo described Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa as a distinguished parliamentarian, accomplished public servant and valued colleague whose dedication to legislative duties and commitment to national development remain worthy of commendation.

He noted that attaining the age of 50 is a remarkable milestone, providing an opportunity to reflect on a life defined by service, achievements, leadership and meaningful contributions to society.

Hon. Oladebo also expressed his personal appreciation for the celebrant’s friendship, collegiality and commitment to the business of legislation, noting that his wealth of experience, intellectual capacity and dedication continue to add significant value to the National Assembly.

The statement reads:

‘It is with great pleasure that I join your family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers in celebrating you as you attain this remarkable milestone of 50 years.’

‘Your journey has been marked by dedication, resilience, intellectual capacity and an unwavering commitment to public service. Beyond being a distinguished parliamentarian, you have been a dependable colleague and a leader whose friendship I deeply value.

As you celebrate your Golden Jubilee, I pray that Almighty God grants you renewed strength, sound health, greater wisdom and abundant grace to continue your service to humanity and our dear nation.

‘May this new chapter of your life bring you greater accomplishments, fulfilment and lasting impact. May the years ahead be even more rewarding than those behind you.

‘Happy 50th birthday, my dear Chairman and distinguished colleague. I wish you many more years of good health, happiness, peace and impactful service.’

Sri Lanka, Thailand move to formalise labour migration cooperation

Sri Lanka and Thailand have agreed to establish a formal framework for bilateral cooperation on labour migration, including an agreement to facilitate the employment of Sri Lankan workers in Thailand.

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Labour Cooperation between the two countries, together with a supplementary agreement governing the employment of Sri Lankan workers in Thailand.

Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said he would travel to Thailand on 14 September to sign the agreements.

The proposed arrangements are intended to establish official cooperation between the competent authorities of the two countries and create a structured mechanism for the transparent and efficient recruitment and deployment of Sri Lankan workers to Thailand.

The agreements are also expected to provide greater protection for Sri Lankan workers by addressing their legal rights, welfare and security, while strengthening measures to prevent human trafficking.

‘The MoU on Labour Cooperation will be signed for a period of five years, while the separate agreement will cover the employment of Sri Lankan workers in Thailand,’ he said.

The proposal to this effect was submitted by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Herath.

46 arrested over blockade of Obi’s convoy in Benue

Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 persons allegedly involved in the obstruction of the convoy of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), during his visit to the state on Tuesday.

Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said the command was notified of Obi’s visit at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

The police deployed adequate security, including three police escort vehicles and personnel led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, to safeguard the former Anambra State governor.

However, a group of persons subsequently blocked Obi’s movement, creating a tense environment that threatened to escalate into violence.

Nwadiogbu said the police made a tactical and professional decision not to use force immediately, aiming to prevent loss of life and destruction of property.

Obi was eventually escorted safely back to the airport and departed the state without further incident.

Emphasising that the tactical restraint should not be mistaken for inaction, Nwadiogbu said the command immediately launched intelligence-led operations, deploying undercover personnel to identify those responsible and determine their motives.

The police have so far apprehended 46 suspects in connection with the crime.

‘Key arrests have been made, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend all other persons connected with the incident,’ Nwadiogbu said.

He stressed that the command remains a neutral institution, noting that every citizen possesses the constitutional right to freedom of movement regardless of political affiliation.

He warned that with the 2027 general elections approaching, security agencies will not tolerate actions capable of escalating political tensions.

Nwadiogbu also clarified that Obi’s representatives had initially described the trip as a non-campaign visit to families affected by the Yelwata crisis, promising that only a small entourage would accompany him.

He added that he was personally managing a separate security crisis involving road blockades around Taka and Guma when news of the obstruction broke.

He assured the public that those found culpable would face full prosecution under the law.

The blockade has drawn sharp criticism across the political spectrum, alongside calls for a comprehensive investigation.

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, alongside the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) campaign, issued separate statements on Wednesday demanding an immediate probe into the attack.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, Atiku described the disruption as ‘unacceptable, anti-democratic and deeply shameful,’ calling on authorities to guarantee the safety of political figures across the country.

Similarly, the APM campaign, through Anthony Ehilebo, Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication to its presidential candidate Seyi Makinde, demanded police action against those responsible.

It described the event as an attempt to intimidate opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.

APM rejected assertions from the Benue State Government that Obi failed to secure prior approval before the visit, citing Sections 40 and 41(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee freedom of assembly and freedom of movement.

It warned that deploying roadblocks or thuggery against opposition figures undermines democratic governance, reaffirming the Makinde campaign’s commitment to lawful political activity.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), condemned the blockade while alleging perceived press bias in reporting political violence.

Keyamo maintained that regardless of whether the blockade stemmed from internal NDC disputes, APC sponsorship, or public resentment over Obi visiting Yelwata long after the tragic killings occurred, interfering with free movement remains unacceptable for any democracy.

Keyamo accused a partisan section of the press of applying double standards in its coverage.

He noted that when angry crowds confront APC candidates, the media routinely frames the incident as public ‘rejection,’ whereas similar hostility directed at opposition figures is labelled an ‘attack by sponsored thugs.’

Keyamo called on the media to maintain fairness and extricate itself from political partisanship.

The Senior Advocate stressed that dissatisfied citizens should express their grievances through the ballot box rather than violent disruption.

Dickson, Ortom demand probe, prosecutions

Former Benue governor Samuel Ortom and NDC National Leader Senator Henry Dickson condemned the obstruction of Obi’s movement, demanding thorough investigations and prosecutions.

Ortom described the incident as deliberate, accusing Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration of ‘lawlessness.’

He said: ‘I condemn what happened on Monday. It is wrong not to allow Peter Obi to visit Benue. I sympathise with those who lost their lives.’

Urging police action, he added: ‘It is wrong. Allow democracy to prevail.’

Dickson faulted the Benue Police Command’s explanation that forceful intervention would have escalated tensions.

’AI should be strictly monitored, evaluated’

AMID the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), the country’s chief economist said that the government use of the technology should still be subjected to strict monitoring and evaluation to ensure it delivers public value.

‘AI can support monitoring and evaluation, but AI itself must also be monitored and evaluated,’ Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

He said agencies should assess whether AI-supported systems achieve their intended results, work under actual conditions, perform fairly across groups and locations, and deliver benefits that justify their costs and risks.

Balisacan explained that AI systems can reproduce errors and biases embedded in their data and design.

‘An output may appear precise and still be wrong. A system may perform well on average while producing poor results for particular groups or communities, deepening the very inequities that public policy seeks to address,’ he added.

The Philippines ranked 49th out of 195 countries in Oxford Insights’ 2025 Government AI Readiness Index, with a score of 57.76 out of 100, above the global average of 41.40.

The country scored 69.17 in public-sector adoption, while it posted higher scores in policy capacity at 84.50 and governance at 70.84. Its scores were lower in AI infrastructure at 48.11 and development and diffusion at 42.46.

According to Balisacan, government’s adaptation to AI should also involve investing in reliable data systems, personnel who can critically evaluate AI outputs, and safeguards for privacy, fairness, transparency, and the integrity of public evidence.

Before scaling an AI-enabled tool, he said agencies should define the problem and expected results, test the system, document its limitations, and identify who will be responsible for review and corrective action.

‘They must also know what data are being used, whether these are accurate and representative, who may access them, and how privacy and security are protected,’ he said.

Balisacan said these safeguards are particularly important as government MandE systems continue to face fragmented reporting, uneven data quality, manual processing, and delays in delivering information to decision-makers.

AI could help agencies monitor programs more frequently, process field information faster, recognize patterns across large datasets and identify implementation concerns earlier, he said.

The Department of Economy, Planning and Development earlier said the Marcos administration is finalizing its AI framework, which is expected to help streamline government processes and improve project monitoring.

The framework is expected to be released this month.

Nigerian youths still unaware of export opportunities – NEPC

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has said many Nigerian youths are yet to take advantage of the huge business opportunities available in the country’s non-oil export sector.

The Council said lack of knowledge about export procedures, market requirements and opportunities had continued to keep many young entrepreneurs away from international markets.

The NEPC Regional Coordinator, North-West, Amina Abdulmalik, stated this on Wednesday in Kano at a youth export development programme organised by the council in collaboration with the Youth Start-up Exporters Network of Nigeria.

‘For too long, the export space has been viewed as complex and for a select few. NEPC is changing that story,’ she said.

Abdulmalik said Nigeria’s future in non-oil export depended largely on the energy, creativity and innovation of its youths, stressing the need to deliberately involve them in the sector.

She said many of the participating youths were already involved in businesses, including fashion and agricultural commodities, but lacked the knowledge needed to add value to their products and sell them in international markets.

According to her, the programme was designed to equip young entrepreneurs with practical knowledge on product selection, packaging, certification and access to international markets.

Abdulmalik added that the initiative would help reduce youth unemployment while increasing the volume and value of the country’s exports.

Also speaking, Nayalo Abubakar Muhammad of the Youth Start-up Exporters Network of Nigeria said many young people still did not understand how the export business worked.

He said building the capacity of young entrepreneurs was therefore critical to enabling them to participate effectively in the global market.

Muhammad urged the participants to maintain professionalism and integrity in their export dealings, saying Nigerian products could only gain stronger acceptance globally when exporters built trust with international buyers.

In his goodwill message, the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) representative, Dr Tijjani Abdullahi Sarki, said Nigeria’s export potential remained constrained by its dependence on raw commodities.

He urged entrepreneurs to focus on processing and adding value to locally produced goods before taking them to the international market.

Sarki also identified access to finance, certification, market information, logistics and international buyers as critical factors needed to help Nigerian businesses compete globally.

’We’ll Care For You’, Kwankwaso Asks Atiku To Retire

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has asked former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to drop his bid for 2027 presidency.

Speaking members of the Fulani Farmers Association who visited him at his Abuja residence, Kwankwaso said Atiku who is the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), should devote his time to his traditional responsibilities.

Citing Atiku’s age and health, Kwankwaso asked supporters of the ADC Presidential Candidate to persuade him to withdraw from the contest.

‘Go to the Wazirin of Adamawa’s house and tell him in Fulani that he needs to focus on his traditional title of Wazirin, given his age and health.’

‘If Allah grants us success, we will take good care of him, especially since you all come from Adamawa. An apology should be offered to him,’ he said.

In April, Atiku had said the 2027 presidential election may be his final attempt to become Nigeria’s leader, citing his age and the high stakes involved.

Responding to a question on whether turning 80 by 2027 would make the stakes higher for him, Atiku said it would likely be his last outing.

‘Certainly yes, because the stakes are higher and I believe that will be my last outing,’ he said.

Atiku has made multiple attempts to become Nigeria’s president since returning to partisan politics in 2003.

He first contested the presidency in 1993 under the Social Democratic Party primaries before stepping down for the late Moshood Abiola.

He later ran in 2007 under the Action Congress, losing to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Atiku also contested in 2011 under the Action Congress of Nigeria, losing to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He returned to the Peoples Democratic Party and contested the 2019 presidential election, where he lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

In 2023, he again emerged PDP candidate but lost to President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.

The former vice president has consistently positioned himself as a long-time advocate of restructuring, economic liberalisation and private sector-driven growth.

Revived Railway System Will Boost GDP, Trade – Opeifa

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has said an efficient railway system will boost Nigeria’s GDP, strengthen trade and food security, reduce transportation costs and improve the general standard of living.

Speaking on TVC’s This Morning Show, Opeifa said the Corporation is focused on optimising existing railway assets while encouraging greater participation by state governments, regional development commissions and the private sector.

‘The NRC is not doing badly, but we could do better. We should have been better than where we are today if not for many years of inaction,’ he said.

He explained that Nigeria inherited an extensive railway network linking major parts of the country, but decades of inadequate investment and the abandonment of the narrow-gauge system during the modernisation drive created major setbacks.

According to him, the present administration is correcting past mistakes by rehabilitating existing lines, expanding the standard-gauge network and strengthening partnerships with states.

Opeifa said moving railway matters from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List has opened fresh opportunities for states and private investors.

He cited the Lagos Red Line as a successful example of what he described as ‘Railing with the States,’ adding that similar initiatives are being pursued in Plateau and Zamfara states.

He also disclosed that regional development commissions and state governments across the South West, South East, North East and North Central are engaging the NRC on railway development.

‘Every state and region is now showing interest, and the national government is ready,’ he said.

On freight development, Opeifa said the Federal Government had completed the connection of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway to the port, while goods are also being moved from Apapa towards Ilorin on the narrow gauge.

He added that arrangements had been concluded to move freight from Lagos to Kano, Kaduna and Minna, stressing that the Corporation is determined to keep existing railway corridors commercially active.

The NRC boss said the Port Harcourt-Aba section of the Eastern corridor had also been completed and was operational.

He identified poor road links to railway stations as a major challenge to intermodal transportation and urged state governments to provide efficient connections between railway stations, cities and public transport networks.

According to him, railway remains a major driver of industrial development, supporting factories, agriculture, mining, petroleum distribution and inland container movement.

He said completion of rehabilitation works on the Western Line would create opportunities for increased movement of petroleum products and other freight by rail, thereby reducing pressure on roads.

Opeifa also disclosed that the NRC is exploring opportunities in livestock and agricultural transportation, including the use of refrigerated wagons for perishable goods.

On regional connectivity, he said Nigeria’s railway links with neighbouring countries would strengthen trade and give landlocked countries access to Nigerian seaports.

He expressed optimism that the Kaduna-Kano railway project could be completed by December 2026, paving the way for rail movement from Abuja to Kano.

Speaking on the suspended Warri-Itakpe Train Service, Opeifa apologised to passengers and said safety remained the Corporation’s priority.

He explained that although track rehabilitation and a test run had been completed, passenger operations would not resume until safety audits of the track, equipment and personnel were concluded.

Opeifa also said the NRC had completed a proof of concept for the use of Liquefied Natural Gas in railway operations and remained committed to tackling ticket racketeering.

‘If we get the railway system right, our GDP will increase, farmers and small businesses will benefit, inflation will continue its downward movement and the general standard of living will improve,’ he said.

He urged state and local governments, regional development bodies and private investors to take advantage of opportunities in the railway sector.

Altay Communities Symposium draws int’l scholars to Baku

The 14th International Altay Communities Symposium, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress, has kicked off at the Presidium building of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).

This year’s symposium focuses on “Altaic Studies: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” It is organized by ANAS and the Institute of Folklore with the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), TURKSOY, the Turkish Historical Society, the International Turkic Academy and the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB).

Scholars and specialists from 15 countries are taking part in the four-day event. Alongside Azerbaijan, participating countries include Turkiye, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, India, China, Japan, North Macedonia, Hungary, Germany and Russia.

Opening the event, President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS),Academician Isa Habibbayli said that international scientific gatherings devoted to Altaic studies make an important contribution to the development of Turkological research around the world.

He noted that holding the symposium in Baku, at the same historic venue where the First Turkological Congress was held in 1926, gives the event particular historical and academic significance. According to Habibbeyli, discussions held a century ago on the future of the languages, history, culture and scholarly study of Turkic peoples remain relevant today.

Isa Habibbayli stressed the importance of continuing the scholarly traditions established by the First Turkological Congress and enriching them through contemporary research. Habibbeyli expressed hope that the 14th International Altay Communities Symposium would further expand international academic cooperation with Azerbaijan and wished the participants success.

Professor Ilhan Sahin, President of the Academic Society of the Altaic Communities and Professor at Istanbul 29 May University, said that holding the symposium in Baku was particularly meaningful. He noted that the centenary of the First Turkological Congress gave this year’s meeting a special historical significance.

Ilhan Sahin recalled that scholars who gathered in Baku a century ago held important discussions on the languages, history, cultures and societies of Turkic peoples. He said that the Altay Communities symposium series, now being held for the 14th time, has become an important forum for examining these issues from a scholarly perspective.

This year’s programme covers a wide range of subjects, including the migration and movements of Altay peoples, language, literature, history, religion and beliefs, family values and traditions.

Academician Shahin Mustafayev, President of the International Turkic Academy, said the First Turkological Congress held in Baku in 1926 marked the beginning of a new stage in the history of Turkological studies.

He noted that over the past century, Turkology has moved beyond the study of language and literature to become a broad interdisciplinary field encompassing history, archaeology, anthropology, ethnography, art history, genetics and digital humanities.

Shahin Mustafayev stressed the particular importance of Altay for the Turkic world, describing the region as an important reference point for studying Turkic history, languages and early cultural processes across Eurasia.

He also drew attention to the distinction between preserving a shared heritage and claiming exclusive ownership of it. According to Mustafayev, historical and cultural heritage should not be presented as the exclusive property of any single people or state.

Shahin Mustafayev pointed out that the research on Altay should instead be based on an open and comparative scholarly approach that takes into account historical contacts and cultural exchanges among different peoples.

Other speakers at the opening included Alptekin Cihangir Isbilir, Counsellor at the Embassy of Turkiye in Azerbaijan; Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation; Professor Haluk Selvi, President of the Turkish Historical Society; Academician Govhar Bakhshaliyeva, Acting Vice President of ANAS; and Halit Eren, former President of TIKA.

The speakers stressed the importance of studying the shared historical and cultural heritage of the Altay communities in greater depth and expanding the exchange of academic experience.

The symposium also features discussions on various aspects of the history, culture and civilizational heritage of the Altay communities, which played an important role in the historical and cultural development of Eurasia.

Over the four-day programme, scholars and specialists from 15 countries are expected to deliver a total of 121 presentations.

Note that the First Turkological Congress, held in Baku from February 26 to March 6, 1926.

The historic congress gathered 131 delegates, including linguists, historians, ethnographers, writers, scholars, and public figures from Turkic-speaking regions of the former Soviet Union, along with invited participants from abroad.

Among its landmark achievements was support for adopting a Latin-based alphabet for Turkic languages. Participants endorsed replacing the Arabic script with a common Latin alphabet to promote literacy, improve language standardisation, and advance modern education.

The congress also played a defining role in establishing Turkic linguistics as a modern academic field by encouraging research into grammar, dialectology, etymology, and comparative language studies.

In addition, it strengthened scholarly ties among researchers from across the Turkic world, fostering lasting academic cooperation and cultural exchange.

The discussions held during the congress also helped advance the study of Turkic history, culture, folklore, and ethnography, providing an important foundation for future research into the shared heritage of Turkic peoples.

APM accuses APC of silencing opposition over Obi’s convoy blockade

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has condemned the alleged obstruction of the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday.

The APM alleged that Obi’s convoy was blocked by suspected state-sponsored thugs while he was travelling to Yelwata to visit families affected by the recent killings in the area.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Anthony Ehilebo, Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication to Seyi Makinde, the APM presidential candidate, the party described the incident as ‘deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable.’

‘We strongly condemn the unwarranted obstruction of the convoy of the Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), former Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday, September 8, 2026,’ the statement said.

The campaign alleged that the incident represented an attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.

‘The incident, in which Mr. Obi’s convoy was obstructed by a group of suspected state-sponsored thugs on his way to Yelwata to visit families affected by the tragic killings in the area, is deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable,’ it said.

‘It marks a new low in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s desperation to stifle opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.’

The APM campaign linked the incident to Obi’s appearance a day earlier at the inauguration of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja, where the NDC candidate joined other opposition figures to show solidarity with Makinde.

‘It is particularly worrisome that this targeted attack came barely 24 hours after Mr. Peter Obi joined other notable opposition leaders to show solidarity with our principal, the Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Engr. Seyi Makinde, at the inauguration of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office on Monday, September 7, 2026,’ the statement said.

According to the campaign, recent political realignments ahead of the 2027 election had unsettled the APC.

‘Expectedly, the ruling APC overburdened by the sad reality of marketing an unpopular President Tinubu to Nigerians, is rattled by recent political developments, leading them to resort to barbaric tactics, including intimidation, harassment, and the unlawful obstruction of the legitimate activities of opposition parties and leaders,’ it alleged.

The campaign also rejected the explanation reportedly given by the Benue State Government that Obi failed to obtain prior permission before visiting the state.

The APM argued that the right to movement and association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution did not require citizens or political candidates to seek permission from state governments before travelling within the country.

‘We therefore find the statement credited to the Benue State Government, that the NDC Presidential Candidate did not seek prior permission from the state government before his visit, completely unacceptable and condemnable,’ it said.

‘Every Nigerian, presidential candidate or otherwise, has a constitutionally guaranteed right to enter, live, and move freely within any state in Nigeria to conduct legitimate activities without prior permission or notice.’

The campaign cited Sections 41(1) and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which respectively guarantee freedom of movement and freedom of association and assembly.

‘Setting up roadblocks and engaging thugs to stop opposition candidates have no place in a constitutional democracy,’ it said.

The APM consequently called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the incident and prosecute those responsible.

‘We demand that the Nigerian Police immediately commence a full-scale investigation into this unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to book in the interest of our democracy,’ the campaign said.

It, however, pledged that the alleged incident would not deter the opposition from participating in the 2027 electoral process.

‘As a campaign, we remain committed to a peaceful electoral process; however, we state clearly that we shall not be deterred or cowed by the antics of those who seek to make peaceful participation impossible,’ the statement added.

Nicosia could host a Cyprus-Israel-Lebanon meeting if asked, sources told CNA

Nicosia could host a Cyprus-Israel-Lebanon trilateral meeting if asked, sources told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), on Thursday commenting on the wish expressed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog for such a meeting upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace, where he met with President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides.

Before his one-to-one meeting with President Christodoulides, President Herzog said that he would like to see a trilateral meeting between the Presidents of Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel, even in Nicosia, noting that this was a ‘dream’ of his and that it was important to ‘move towards peace in the region’.

Competent sources said that the Israeli President had expressed a hope looking towards the future, sending a message to Lebanon that there was a possibility for the two countries to reach an understanding.

It was also noted that these issues do not depend on Nicosia, and that both Israel and Lebanon are dealing with domestic issues. However, the Republic of Cyprus would have no problem hosting such a meeting if asked.

According to the sources, the talks also covered cooperation in the defence sector and the Republic of Cyprus’ planning, with the two sides agreeing to remain in contact regarding what Cyprus could acquire more specifically under its defence procurement programme. Israel is one of the Republic of Cyprus’ largest suppliers of defence equipment, it was noted.

Israeli defence companies are showing interest in coming to Cyprus and establishing operations in the country, potentially enabling them to benefit from the EU’s SAFE programme, it was also noted.

According to the same sources, President Christodoulides also raised an outstanding issue dating back to 2011 concerning plans for a Cyprus-Israel double taxation avoidance agreement.

President Christodoulides also raised the issue of the Ishai-Aphrodite gas field, describing it as a priority, while the Israelis noted that it was close to completion.

During the talks, the Israelis also requested and received an update on the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), the same sources said.

It was also noted during the talks that, following the arrest of Simon Aykut for offences to do with the illegal appropriation of Greek Cypriot properties in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, the numbers of Israeli investors purchasing property in the occupied areas had declined dramatically, and that the State of Israel had organised an information campaign on the matter.

Regarding the upcoming elections in Israel, it was noted that the outcome remains uncertain, but that Nicosia had done its preparatory work and was ready for whatever might emerge, while also referring to the historical development of the two countries’ relations.