MP Mr. Nikos Tornaritis, head of the Cypriot delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, received on behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Ms. Anita Demetriou, a delegation of prospective attachés of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, who are on a working visit to Cyprus.
Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Tornaritis referred first of all to the role and responsibilities of the House of Representatives and the important activities it develops at the international and regional level. He noted that diplomacy is the spearhead of foreign policy and underlined the added value of parliamentary diplomacy in achieving strategic objectives. Tornaritis stressed that Greece and Cyprus are linked by brotherly ties and expressed the deep gratitude of the Republic of Cyprus for Greece's uninterrupted and unwavering support for the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem on the basis of international law and the relevant UN resolutions.
Referring to the current developments regarding the Cyprus problem, Mr.Tornaritis criticized the Turkish side's efforts to create new fait accompli and to upgrade the illegal entity of the occupied territories internationally, with the most recent example being the granting of observer status to the pseudo-state in the Organization of Turkic States. He underlined the importance of the initiatives and actions undertaken by the Government of Cyprus and the House of Representatives, aimed at preventing and effectively managing and addressing these worrying developments.
Mr. Tornaritis also highlighted the growing importance of the Eastern Mediterranean region, in light of the multifaceted effects of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the tectonic geopolitical changes taking place around the world. He stressed the catalytic role that the region's significant energy reserves can play in ensuring the energy security of the European Union, but also in creating conditions for regional peace, security and cooperation. Tornaritis, the young diplomats have much to offer and much is expected of them, first and foremost to have vision and to serve with competence and dedication the profession of diplomacy in defense of the rights and interests of Hellenism.
A discussion followed, during which Mr. Tornaritis answered questions from the prospective ambassadors.
(The text as sent by the House of Representatives)
(MX/IK)
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