16/2/14

Statements by the Minister of Foreign Affairs after his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Holy See





The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Ioannis Kasoulides met yesterday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Holy See, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.



In his remarks to the press after the meeting, Mr Kasoulides said they discussed the Cyprus problem, the Cypriot cultural heritage, as well as the need to preserve the monuments, the Churches and the Mosques in Cyprus.

He added that during their meeting they also discussed the role that Cyprus is playing in combating terrorism, the trafficking of materials for weapons of mass destruction, human trafficking, an issue of particular interest to Pope Francis, as well as the way that Cyprus’ foreign policy is oriented toward transforming the hydrocarbon reserves into an instrument of peace, as coal and steel were in Europe.

“We also exchanged views with regard to the various ways to act for the protection of the rights of minorities, and about religious freedom and coexistence in the region of our neighborhood, the Middle East,” he concluded.

---------------------