Averof Neofytou

Amid tension in the Eastern Mediterranean fueled by Turkey's continuing provocations, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has assured the head of Cyprus' ruling Democratic Rally party Averof Neofytou that Greece stands by the ethnically-split island.

Greek opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Nicosia on Thursday for a two-day visit during which he will also hold talks with President Nicos Anastasiades.

Arriving in Cyprus, the conservative leader was welcomed by the head of Cyprus' Democratic Rally (DISY) party, Averof Neofytou.

Conservative New Democracy party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis was in Helsinki on Wednesday for the congress of the European People's Party (EEP) which will on Thursday elect its candidate to lead the European Commission.

Greece's main opposition leader will have a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the congress.