(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)

President Reuven Rivlin this morning (Thursday, 10 March 2016), at his residence, met with the President of the Cyprus House of Representatives, Mr. Yiannakis Omirou.

President Rivlin welcomed Mr. Omirou and spoke of Israel's appreciation for the long friendship between the two countries, and of the importance of the strong cooperation in a range of areas. He said, "I want to emphasize the people of Israel's gratitude for your people's care for those who came from the ashes of the Holocaust on their way to the rebuilding of our nation. We are neighbors and we share many common interests and concerns in the region. Yours is an important voice in speaking to our neighbors to make them understand that we can find a way to live together."

President Rivlin added, "As part of the free world, we must all be worried about the spread of the influence of the Islamic State, and fundamentalism. In Syria, five armies are fighting each other, none of which are friends of Israel, but we give medical care to all those who come to us, it is out humanitarian obligation."

Mr. Omirou thanked the President for his words, and expressed his condemnation of the recent terror attacks which had taken place against Israel, he said "I want to convey our condemnation over the attacks against your civilians which have occurred over the last days, these undermine any move toward peace."

He too praised the cooperation between Israel and Cyprus and noted that recently there had been many high level bilateral and multilateral visits and discussions. "We have enjoyed many visits of senior Israeli figures, and trilateral meetings together with Greece, and we appreciate the cooperation between us," he said to the President.

President Rivlin concluded, "You are good neighbors and we greatly appreciate your friendship, your people and your democracy."