President Christodoulides hosted his Lebanese counterpart Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace for official talks aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and discussing regional developments.
Aoun arrived at the Presidential Palace shortly before 11 a.m. for the one-day official visit, where he was received by Christodoulides with a National Guard honor ceremony. The Lebanese president laid a wreath at the memorial of Archbishop Makarios before the two leaders proceeded with formal greetings.
During the welcoming ceremony, Christodoulides said Cyprus and Lebanon maintain “excellent relations” and work closely together, expressing clear political will to enhance bilateral cooperation in defense, security, energy, migration, trade, and tourism.
“We have excellent relations, we work very closely together. At the same time there is clear political will to do more, to strengthen our bilateral cooperation,” Christodoulides said.
The Cypriot president announced Cyprus would assume the EU presidency and pledged to “do everything to increase awareness of the importance of Lebanon and the region for the EU.” He invited Aoun to attend an informal meeting of regional leaders with EU leaders in April 2026.
Christodoulides publicly reiterated Cyprus’s “clear position for respect of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Aoun responded that Cyprus has “always been supportive towards Lebanon,” emphasizing the proximity between the two countries beyond geography, including shared interests and challenges. He said Lebanon relies on Cyprus and will continue to do so, particularly during Cyprus’s upcoming EU Council presidency.
The two leaders held private discussions followed by expanded talks between delegations from both countries.
Following the meetings, Christodoulides said they discussed regional developments affecting both countries, bilateral relations and their expansion, as well as EU-Lebanon relations.
Aoun, speaking through an interpreter, described relations between the two countries as “timeless through the centuries.” He said that beyond geographical proximity and shared history, both countries have common goals, positions, and challenges.
“Historically the two countries were like twins,” Aoun said, noting that the Mediterranean unites rather than divides them.
The Lebanese president highlighted that both countries serve as reference points for stability with shared values, supporting peace through dialogue whilst respecting sovereign rights.
“We believe that what history and geography unite cannot be separated by numbers and calculations of any kind,” Aoun said, adding that Cyprus and Lebanon can seek refuge in each other, providing shelter.
He emphasized that even the hardships of both countries and peoples are shared, making particular reference to displacement. Aoun concluded that Cyprus and Lebanon are “two countries that can give hope.”
Following the talks, Christodoulides hosted a luncheon in Aoun’s honor. The two presidents then visited Nicosia City Hall and toured along the ceasefire line.
Aoun is scheduled to depart Cyprus in the afternoon.
Source: In-Cyprus
