President Nikos Christodoulides is traveling to Berlin on Friday, to participate in an informal conference of the European People’s Party (EPP).

According to Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the conference aims to deepen the dialogue on the European economy and competitiveness, the EPP’s work program within the European Union, and developments at the regional and international level.

The president is expected to hold bilateral contacts with European partners, focusing on the challenges facing the EU as well as on common prospects. On the sidelines of the conference, a meeting has been scheduled with Chairman Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) who is one of the main candidates for the position of German chancellor in the February 23 elections.

Christodoulides will be accompanied by Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou and other officials. He will return from Berlin on Saturday, January 18.