“Athens and Nicosia, Nicosia and Athens, continue in absolute coordination, whether at the level of the EU, or the United Nations and at the level of our bilateral and multilateral contacts to demand a fair and mutually acceptable solution, a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, always within the framework of UN resolutions. These resolutions were, are and will remain our guide. In the 21st century, this historical wound that is still bleeding in an independent country cannot remain open. Neither the presence of an occupation army in an EU member-state, nor the outdated system of guarantees of the rights of third parties to intervene in its affairs can be tolerated. That is why any thought of two states is off the agenda of the talks,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Monday, during joint statements with the Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides after their meeting in Nicosia.
“It is time for the European acquis to apply to the entire island and the only way, as you said, is to start negotiations again under the auspices of the UN Secretary General,” he added.
“We agreed to cooperate more closely for the implementation of the conclusions of the last European Council, a text which for the first time expresses the readiness of the EU to take an active role supporting this negotiation process at all stages and with all appropriate means,” the prime minister said. While noting that the improvement in both Greek-Turkish and Euro-Turkish relations was an opportunity that should be embraced, he also stressed that the words “gradual” and “reversible” will be “the guide in this new effort”. “We can be optimistic, but we are not also naive,” he added.
Mitsotakis said that the cooperation between Mediterranean countries will be increasingly necessary in order to effectively deal with the climate crisis and thanked Cyprus for the help it offered to Greece and its pledge to contribute to the reforestation effort on the island of Rhodes.
On his part, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, welcoming Mitsotakis, announced that Cyprus will cover the cost of reforestation on the burned areas in Rhodes. He also underlined that the two countries have common relations and aspirations.
“Even if some people, either in Athens or in Nicosia ‘see’ differences between us for their own reasons, our goals and pursuits are common, as well as the way and means to achieve the goals. We are following with interest the developments in Turkey after the elections and we welcome the public positions of Ankara regarding the desire to strengthen Euro-Turkish relations,” he said, stressing that the role of the Greek Prime Minister in the European Council was very important.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
