Cyprus, as a member of the European Union, hopes to make some positive contributions to the promotion of the strategic relationship between the EU and China, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos told Xinhua in an exclusive interview prior to his visit to China on Dec. 4.

"Ever since May 2004, the Republic of Cyprus is a full member of the European Union. The accession of Cyprus to the European Union has brought about a new dimension in the relations of Cyprus with China," Papadopoulos said in the interview.

Cyprus is participating in the dialogue between the EU and China, and will continue to support legitimate requests that Beijing is negotiating with Brussels, he added.

"A very recent example was the debate on imposing a 26 percent import duty on Chinese shoes, where Cyprus had a most constructive role."

Located in the close proximity of the trade routes between Europe, the Middle East, Russia and the Far East, Cyprus is becoming an increasingly attractive center of services, Papadopoulos said.

"It is, therefore, only logical to assume that investment by Chinese firms in Cyprus will accelerate China's own efforts to promote trade relations between China, the region as a whole and the European Union."

Source: Xinhua