“Greece and Cyprus are overcoming the economic crisis of the last decade. The two countries have a common principle in the field of economy and this is the combination of fiscal seriousness and pro-investment policy. This is also the condition for a stable development”. This was emphasized, among others, by the Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, on the sidelines of his meeting with his Cypriot counterpart Makis Keraynos during the former’s visit to Cyprus.

During their meeting, an overview of the progress of the economy of the two countries was made and issues of bilateral economic cooperation were discussed, while the excellent climate prevailing in the relations between the two states was also confirmed.

“The goal of Greece and Cyprus remains the continuation of cooperation at all levels and not only in the economy,” said Kostis Hatzidakis, among others. Especially on the issue of the Greece-Cyprus electrical interconnection, he emphasized that “both countries are – in principle – in favor of the construction of this large project, as is the European Commission, which has included it in a European financing scheme. This project has many different technical parameters which are managed by the co-competent Ministries of Environment and Energy of Greece and Trade of the Republic of Cyprus”.

In addition, Kostis Hatzidakis attended a working lunch organized by the President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus and President of the Democratic Alert Annita Dimitriou and the President of the Glaukos Cleridis Institute Haris Georgiadis. At the dinner, the consensus of New Democracy and the Democratic Alert on the future of Europe was confirmed in view of the upcoming European elections.

Finally, with particular emotion, Kostis Hatzidakis spoke at the presentation of the book dedicated to the memory of the former minister of the Republic of Cyprus and his personal friend Tasos Mitsopoulos entitled “Tasos Mitsopoulos – Vision and Faith for Cyprus and Europe”. As he characteristically stated, “Tasos Mitsopoulos saw the two countries as one whole. The protection of the interests of Hellenism was for him the ultimate goal. He believed in the Nation and served it. Working tirelessly for the European perspective of Megalonisos”, he pointed out, adding that “it may have been 10 years since his death, he may have passed away so early and so unfairly, but he achieved something that I wish for each of us individually. He managed to have friends and opponents always speak well of Tasso and the way he chose to live. This is the greatest achievement for him and the greatest legacy he leaves to his wife, his children and his beloved homeland, Cyprus.”

The late President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadis, the President of the House of Representatives and President of the Democratic Alarm Annita Dimitriou, the President of the Glaukos Cleridis Institute Haris Georgiadis and the sister of Tasos Mitsopoulos, Eva Mitsopoulos, spoke at the same event. The Greek Ambassador in Nicosia Ioannis Papameletiou was also present at the event.