India, Cyprus to fight terrorism, drug trafficking

New Delhi, May 25 (UNI) India and Cyprus today agreed to abolish visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders and fight international terrorism, organised crime and drug trafficking.

The two countries also agreed to undertake executive programme on cultural, educational and scientific cooperation.

The three agreements were signed in the presence of Cyprus Foreign Minister Yiorgos Illikas and External Affairs Minister Pranab who is in Cyprus as part of his week-long four-nation tour that will also take him to Libya, Belgium and Germany.

Cyprus reiterated its strong support for India's candidature as a Permanent Member for UN Security Council.

The two sides also discussed India's civil nuclear programme, an External Affairs Ministry press release here said.

In the morning, Mr Mukherjee paid homage at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi located next to the Cyprus Parliament on Jawaharlal Nehru Avenue in Nicosia-- the only such bust of a foreign leader in the area.

He then offered flowers at the statue of late President Archbishop Makarios III.

Mr Mukherjee, who is on his first visit to Europe after taking over as External Affairs Minister, had a 45-minute call on President Tassos Papadopoulos.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, particularly the possibilities of closer cooperation in trade and investment, knowledge-based industries, pharmaceuticals and energy.

President Papadopoulos assured Mr Mukherjee of strong support from Cyprus as a member of the EU on matters of interest to India.

They also discussed the UN Security Council resolutions relating to the Cyprus problem.

Mr Mukherjee also had a one-to-one meeting with Mr Illikas followed by delegation-level talks which carried on over lunch.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations in the context of traditional friendship and the history of close cooperation and support in the international forum.

Possibilities of Cyprus playing a useful and cooperative role for promoting India-EU relations in political and economic terms were also discussed.

Cooperation in trade and investment, energy, tourism, IT and pharmaceuticals also came up for discussion, particularly the setting up of joint ventures.

Closer and regular consultations between the two Foreign Ministries were also agreed upon.

Other issues discussed included terrorism, climate change and developments in SAARC.

At a joint press conference later, Mr Mukherjee said: ''We are very happy that Cyprus is now a member of the EU. Cyprus in the EU means that we have one more close friend in the Union.

''I am confident that my visit will help further strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation that bind India and Cyprus,'' he said.

UNI