A meeting between the President of the Republic and the Turkish President or the country’s Foreign Minister during Christodoulides stay in Antalya has not been planned, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said, while noting that Events like this are well suited to bilateral contacts and meetings, even if these are not scheduled.
Asked whether the President would meet the UN Secretary-General in Antalya, the Spokesperson noted that this would depend on Antonio Guterres’ schedule, taking into account the President’s brief stay in Antalya, as he will then travel on to Dublin. ‘We will endeavour to make it happen if possible,’ he said, noting, however, that due to the tight schedule, he did not know whether this would be feasible.
Furthermore, in his opening statement, the Spokesperson outlined the details of the President’s trip to Antalya, Turkey, where he will take part in the Leaders’ Summit of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), and subsequently to Dublin, where he will take part in the European Political Community (EPC) Summit and the informal European Council meeting, on 12 and 13 November respectively.
He noted that the President’s participation in the COP31 Leaders’ Summit in Antalya ‘forms part of a specific diplomatic framework, taking into account the circumstances surrounding the Conference and the diplomatic processes that preceded it, in close coordination with the European institutions and the Member States of the European Union (EU)’.
As part of these processes, there was close and systematic coordination between the Republic of Cyprus and the European institutions and the Member States of the EU, 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, 11 November, 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 accelerating the fulfilment of international commitments’.
Particular emphasis, he said, will be placed on the Republic of Cyprus’s regional Initiative on Climate Change in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, which provides 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 the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU to strengthen the EU’s strategic approach to international climate negotiations. He noted that this initiative comprises seven actions, which were also promoted at ministerial level, whilst 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 added that tomorrow, 11 November, the President of the Republic will travel to Dublin, where on Thursday, 12 November, he will take part in the EPC Summit, attended by leaders from across the European continent and focusing on common challenges to security, stability and cooperation in Europe.
President Christodoulides will, in particular, take part in the thematic debate on ‘Securing and defending a democratic Europe’, during which contemporary geopolitical challenges, the strengthening of European security and the protection of democratic institutions.
He also said that on Friday, 13 November, the President of the Republic will take part in the informal European Council meeting, which will focus on Artificial Intelligence, with particular emphasis on strengthening European competitiveness and technological autonomy, as well as addressing the social challenges and security issues associated with the rapid development of new technologies.
‘The agenda of the Summit is fully aligned with the priorities set by the Republic of Cyprus through its 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 aim of harnessing Artificial Intelligence as a driving force for competitiveness, productivity, innovation and the modernisation of the state, whilst ensuring its responsible and safe use,’ he concluded, adding that the President of the Republic would return to Cyprus on Friday evening.