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Cyprus supports India's UNSC bid
Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos has backed India's bid for permanent membership of UN Security Council.
Cyprus on Thursday backed India's bid for permanent membership of expanded UN Security Council, citing its contribution in the international affairs and its growing economic power.
Visiting Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos also invited Indian companies, saying his country was an "ideal destination" in certain areas and can become the "window to the European Union" for India.
"We believe India deserves a seat in the UNSC," he said while delivering a lecture on 'Cyprus as a bridge between India and the European Union' here.
"We recognise India's contribution in international affairs," he said.
Papadopoulos said India also was a growing economic power which made it an ideal candidate for permanent membership of UN Security Council.
He said the two countries should further strengthen their historic friendship in both economic and political spheres.
He emphasised that Cyprus was an "ideal destination for Indian companies in the Information Technology, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical sectors" and the products can be readily exported to the EU through Cyprus.
"Cyprus can become the window to the European Union" for India, the President said.
Appreciating India's tremendous growth in the fields of IT, Biotech, and Pharmaceuticals, Papadopoulos said India can become an important partner in his country's "aim to turn itself into a regional hub of Information Technology."
He said India has been one of most trusted friends of Cyprus and stood by it when it faced problems, which are quite similar to the ones faced by India. The tiny island nation has been continually beset with communal flare-ups.
The President, who praised the friendship and hospitality of India, termed his visit as "a trip to pay homage to a friendly country and its people.
