NICOSIA – President Nicos Anastasiades met with Irish President Michael Higgins Oct. 17 during an official visit that includes Irish Premier Enda Kenny.

Higgins was officially welcomed during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace and accompanied by first lady Andri Anastasiades and other members of a Cyprus delegation, the Cyprus Mail reported.

Anastasiades then signed the Book of Visitors of the Presidential Palace, writing “I express my thanks to the President of Ireland for the warm welcome at the Presidential Palace. I hope that this official visit will strengthen further the already excellent relations between Cyprus and Ireland for the benefit of our people, as well as for the benefit of the European Union in which we both belong.”

Anastasiades then inspected a Military Guard which presented honours and the national anthems of the two countries were performed. There was a 21 gun salute while three aircraft of the Irish air force flew over the Presidential Palace.

The two presidents then held talks accompanied by members of their delegations.