President Nikos Christodoulides, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday referred to the benefits of the bilateral cooperation between Cyprus and Israel, after a bilateral meeting.

Christodoulides thanked the Israeli Prime Minister, on behalf of all Cypriots, for Israel’s support during recent fires in Limassol district.

Noting that this is the first visit of Netanyahu to Cyprus for five years, since May 2018 and that this is the second meeting of the two leaders since he assumed his duties six months ago, the president said that this is a clear indication of the importance they attach to this relationship, “a strategic partnership of two like-minded democracies in the eastern Mediterranean”.

He added that he is looking forward to their discussions at the tripartite, highlighting the need of deliverables, especially with regards to energy.

“I was very glad to hear your comments before coming to Cyprus and I am looking forward to our discussion and of course tomorrow, with [Greek Prime Minister] Kyriakos [Mitsotakis] during the trilateral meeting,” he said, noting that this is the 9th trilateral meeting, since they started eight years ago.

Netanyahu thanked Christodoulides, saying that the friendship between Cyprus and Israel has never been stronger and it’s getting even stronger all the time.

“Since we have started this relationship, the East Mediterranean tripartite alliance, we have seen so many benefits, and still more to come”, he noted, referring, among other, to tourism, investments, high-tech commerce, security, etc.

He also said that he is looking forward to the tripartite with the Greek Prime Minister, noting that there are high possibilities for cooperation.

On Monday, the tripartite will be held with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Mitsotakis will be arriving later in the evening on Sunday.

Christodoulides and Netanyahu on Sunday discussed, among others, developments in the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations between Cyprus and Israel, energy issues, regional developments, as well as EU-Israel relations.

According to a press release issued by the presidency, the meeting is a follow-up to Christodoulides’ visit to Israel in May.

On Sunday, Christodoulides welcomed Netanyahu, at the Presidential Palace, and after the official welcome ceremony, they will have a private meeting, to be followed by extended talks between the delegations of the two countries.

Arriving, Netanyahu said that the friendship between the two countries is getting stronger and there are many benefits, in areas such as trade and security.

Ahead of his departure Netanyahu said: “I am leaving for a meeting with the leaders of Cyprus and Greece. I remind you that in 2016 we established the Eastern Mediterranean alliance,” he said at the airport.

Netanyahu stated that this alliance is a very great success. “It has led to a huge improvement in economic relations and also in tourism relations – so far millions of Israelis have visited both Greece and Cyprus – it has led to an improvement in security relations and of course we are also discussing the issue of energy,” he pointed out.

On the issue of energy, Netanyahu said that “there are decisions that we will have to make soon.”

“We have also noted a pioneering development, and that is to extract gas from the sea. This not only covers the needs of the State of Israel, it also enables us to export to Europe,” he added.

Stating that they have various routes to export, the Israeli Prime Minister said that in these meetings he will focus on two of those routes: the East-Med natural gas pipeline or a liquefaction plant in Cyprus.

Later in the day, Netanyahu will meet former president Nicos Anastasiades at the hotel the Israeli PM is staying at in Limassol.

The meeting will take place at 7:45pm, and is occurring in accordance with the close relations Netanyahu retains with Anastasiades from the latter’s time as president.

Meanwhile, the group Defend Israeli Democracy is set to rally during Netanyahu’s visit.

“Netanyahu has been indicted with charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust and his trial for the three cases is ongoing.

“Since going into office following the last elections several months ago, Netanyahu and his radical government have been actively working to destroy the Israeli democratic system, strip the supreme court of its power, and in effect turn Israel into a dictatorship,” the group said.

Protests will be taking place both on Sunday and Monday, the group added.