Cyprus President arrives on five-day State visit

New Delhi, Apr 11 (UNI) Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos arrived here today on a five-day State visit aimed at enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in trade and economic cooperation, and have discussions with Indian leaders on an array of issues including UN reforms and terrorism.

He was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma.

Mr Papadopoulos, who is accompanied by senior ministers and a business delegation, is the fifth President of his country to visit India. All previous Cypriot Presidents have paid State visits to India while Indian Presidents V V Giri and Venkataraman have visited Cyprus.

Mrs Indira Gandhi also visited Cyprus in 1983.

With today being a relaxed day, the Cuprus President will have official engagements tomorrow which include talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the release of a commemorative stamp.

Sources said a wide range of international and regional issues including terrorism, Cyprus problem, democracy, the EU, UN reforms and Commonwealth co-operation will be discussed.

He is accompanied by his Foreign Minister George Iacovou and have will a business meeting with CII/FICCI/ASSOCHAM.

Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will call on him.

Tomorrow evening, he is scheduled to have a meeting with President A P J Abdul Kalam who will host a banquent in his honour.

On Wednesday, he will deliver an address at the Indian Council of World Affairs after which he will visit Agra, Mumbai and Bangalore before leaving for home on April 16.

In Bangalore, Mr Papadopoulos will visit Infosys and interact with cyber experts.

India last night hoped that a just and lasting solution would be found to the Cyprus problem in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Cyprus.

''India has consistently supported the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. India hopes that a just and lasting solution will be found to the Cyprus problem in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Cyprus,'' an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said.

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