Traffic interruptions as King of Jordan to sign agreements in Cyprus visit today

Police on Friday announced that there will be increased security measures and brief traffic interruptions in Larnaca and Nicosia due to the arrival of Jordan’s King Abdullah II, due to arrive in Cyprus in the afternoon on an official visit.

From Friday afternoon until late at night of the same day, there will from time-to-time be road closures, both in the Larnaca district, on the Larnaca to Nicosia highway, and in the Nicosia district, police said.

Drivers are urged to follow the instructions of the police officers on duty. No exact time was announced of the King’s arrival.

President Nicos Anastasiades is to receive King Abdullah at the Presidential Palace where they will hold a tete-a-tete meeting, followed by extended talks by the two countries’ delegations.

Two agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries on double taxation avoidance, and the extradition of fugitives as well as a memorandum on development cooperation between the foreign ministries of Cyprus and Jordan.

During the visit, Anastasiades will award the King of Jordan with the Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III while King Abdullah will present the president with the highest honorary distinction of his country.

The two leaders are to discuss bilateral relations, the Cyprus problem, climate change and the president’s initiative on the development of a regional action plan to address the needs and challenges faced by Eastern Mediterranean countries, the efforts to tackle the impact of the pandemic and regional developments.

Anastasiades will host a dinner on Friday evening in the King’s honour.

The King’s last visit to the island was in September 2016.