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Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States Pavlos Anastasiades

Notes Increased Participation of Israel in the European Union

At the latest in the B’nai B’rith International Diplomatic Encounter Series, Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States Pavlos Anastasiades said that the European Union is on target to upgrade Israel’s status in more than 60 areas of trade and diplomacy including migration, energy and agriculture. This package will expand Israel’s relations with the European Union.

Cyprus recently ascended to the rotating six-month presidency of the European Union. It is the first time Cyprus, an E.U. member since 2004, is assuming this role.

The ambassador also said “relations have gone from strength to strength” between Cyprus and Israel. Anastasiades noted centuries of agreeable relations between Cyprus and the Jewish people and spoke of maintaining and refreshing that relationship.

In his introduction of the ambassador, B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin noted that interactions between Israel and Cyprus flourish in many spheres, including commerce and tourism. Mariaschin welcomed Cyprus to a “historic E.U. presidency” that looked forward to growing cooperation between the governments of Cyprus and Israel.

Anastasiades said the motto of Cyprus’ presidency would be “a better Europe,” and that during its term, Cyprus would work to “bequeath a better Europe to the younger generation.”

Since 2002, the Washington Diplomatic Encounter Series has brought together diplomats, think tank experts and professionals from across the Washington spectrum to talk about domestic and international issues of the day.