President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, will pay a state visit to Cyprus on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 February, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Tuesday during a press briefing.

The Spokesman said that "President Mattarella's visit is very important as it is the first visit by an Italian President since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and Cyprus and is part of the 20th anniversary of Cyprus's accession to the European Union, as well as the sad anniversary of 50 years since the illegal invasion and continued occupation (of Cyprus by Turkey)".

President Mattarella, the longest serving President in the history of the Italian Republic, will be accompanied by representatives of the Italian Government and a multi-member delegation.