Speech at the 2nd Greek Cypriot Business Conference “Greece-Cyprus Summit-Advancing Together” in Nicosia the Prime Minister made today Wednesday Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“Let me express my satisfaction that, even with a delay, we established this institution that allows our ministers to develop a framework of regular cooperation with significant results. In the relations between Greece and Cyprus, interest was monopolized by the national ones. Now we have developed a cooperation framework for the development of the relations between the two states”, stressed the Prime Minister.

“The cooperation and convergence of Cyprus and Greece is the cornerstone of our relations”, he noted.

The prime minister pointed out that the excellent level of Greek Cypriot relations is also reflected in the economic field and that Cyprus is one of the most important partners of our country.

He expressed his admiration for the performance of the Cypriot economy and emphasized that they demonstrate that Cyprus faced the financial crisis perhaps more responsibly than Greece.

“Unfortunately, we experimented with populism, lost 5 years, and after 2019 we implemented a policy that shows results,” he underlined.

Mr. Mitsotakis also referred to the upward trend in bilateral trade.

“The position of Megalonisos on the world map has changed. Her traditional extroversion picks up speed. Everything suggests that entrepreneurship on the island, everything suggests that it will be many times its size. And we have regained investment grade, we are recording the largest reduction in public debt in the OECD, we have reduced unemployment. Fiscal responsibility is a non-negotiable priority of our economic policy. It allowed us to attract investment and achieve the goal of reducing the investment gap. We want Cypriot capital to participate in the restructuring of the Greek economy”, Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized.

The prime minister, speaking about the use of artificial intelligence, underlined that in Greece we completed the relevant national strategy with the aim, among other things, of improving productivity in the public sector and defining a regulatory framework.

“Greece and Cyprus can play a leading role in European developments”, stressed the prime minister.

Mr. Mitsotakis congratulated those who worked on the implementation of the forum and said that at the next one to be held in Athens, progress will be recorded in the economic relations between the two countries.

Christodoulidis: “Cyprus and Greece are two healthy and stable economies”

“A very important institution that takes place in parallel with the 2nd intergovernmental Greece – Cyprus”, said the Nikos Christodoulidis. The Cypriot President stated that “we managed to upgrade and enrich our cooperation”.

Mr. Christodoulidis indicated that as a result of the first intergovernmental meeting, ten memoranda of cooperation have been signed.

“There is a substantial will to further strengthen our cooperation. Entrepreneurship, trade, investment are basic supplies. At European level we are already discussing the Draghi report. The excellent cooperation of Greek and Cypriot businessmen is a shining example of what we can achieve”, continued the Cypriot President. And he underlined that the biggest investment in Cyprus is from Greece.

“Cyprus and Greece are two healthy and stable economies. As EU members and pillars of stability we have a combination of advantages that can attract investment,” he stressed.

Fiscal responsibility, a stable financial environment and continuous and bold reforms are key to achieving the ambitious goals.

Mr. Christodoulidis then stated that in 2024 Cyprus is predicted to have the 3rd fastest growth rate among the eurozone countries and he estimated that unemployment will fall below 5% in 2025. And he noted that the positive course of the economy in Cyprus is also reflected in the upgrades of the rating agencies.

“All this while we are between two wars and with the economies of powerful EU member states facing serious challenges. Responsibility brings results”, he underlined and pointed out that “We are not here to say that the numbers are prosperous. The benefits translate to businesses and households.”

Nikos Christodoulidis also referred to the technological and digital upgrading of Cyprus and thanked Greece and the Prime Minister for the help in this field.