BRI "great vision" of strong cooperation prospects, says Cyprus house president

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a "great vision" with strong prospects for cooperation, Demetris Syllouris, president of the Cyprus House of Representatives said Thursday.

Syllouris made the remarks at a day-long symposium at University of Nicosia where politicians, academics and diplomats discussed the BRI, the bilateral relations between China and Cyprus and China's role in the Middle East.

Located at the crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, Cyprus is a vital link in the BRI, said Syllouris.

"My working visit to China in November 2017 was an excellent opportunity to have an insider's view of the Belt and Road Initiative through my meetings with Chinese high officials," Syllouris said.

Cyprus supports China's future strategies and hopes, particularly the Belt and Road Initiative, and is "eager to maximize its cooperation with China and ultimately become a viable partner with mutual benefit," he said.

Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xingyuan, described Cyprus and the Middle East as an indispensable link in the BRI, which connect China with the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean.

"Cyprus may be small in terms of size and population, but it is a crucial dot that connects Asia, Europe and Africa, an anchor for the BRI and a stabilizing force in promoting peace and stability in the region," the ambassador noted.

He said the initiative has seen tangible results with a host of ongoing flagship projects and the signing of cooperation agreements under the BRI framework between China and over 150 countries.