Cyprus remains “a safe country”, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (Pace) Petra Bayr said on Monday, expressing solidarity with Cyprus and its people.

Bayr, heading the Pace presidential committee, met President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia to discuss the Cyprus problem, the war against Iran and Cyprus’ priorities during its EU presidency.

Christodoulides pointed out that Cyprus’ role has always been humanitarian and that security remained a top priority for Europe.

Akel MP Yiorgos Loukaides, who was also present as chairman of the Left group at Pace, said the presence of Pace officials in Cyprus sent “a strong message that Cyprus remains a safe destination”.

He said the discussion in the presence of the heads of all Pace political groups was “constructive”.

Bayr said “we defend the values that Pace promotes, such as democracy, human rights and the state of law”.

“Unfortunately, we see that international law and world order are under attack due to wars and the effort of some superpowers to impose their supremacy over international law,” she added.

Bayr pointed out that “we are all concerned over the continuing war against Iran and the increasing involvement of Europe”.

“We are here to express our solidarity with Cyprus and the people of Cyprus. Cyprus remains a safe place,” she said.