The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Anita Demetriou, received today a group of members of the German Federal Parliament who are visiting Cyprus in the framework of their participation in a workshop of the Robert Bosch Foundation on "policy making in Europe".
Welcoming the members of the German Parliament, Mrs Demetriou praised the excellent level of relations between Cyprus and Germany and their parliaments both bilaterally and within the European Union (EU), and more broadly at the international level, on the basis of common principles and values. Ms Demetriou noted the important role of Germany in taking key decisions at the European level and underlined that only with unity and solidarity can small and big challenges be tackled.
Responding to questions from German MPs on the Cyprus problem and in particular on the efforts to resolve it, Ms Demetriou reaffirmed the commitment of the Greek Cypriot side to the objective of resuming talks towards a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in accordance with the relevant United Nations (UN) resolutions. At the same time, he stressed that efforts should be intensified to strengthen trust between the two communities. Germany, the Speaker pointed out, can assist in this direction and put pressure on the Turkish side to abandon the claim of a two-state solution and recognition of the illegal entity in the occupied territories. This, Ms Demetriou stressed, can never be accepted, as it constitutes a violation of international law and the relevant UN resolutions on Cyprus.
Cyprus, like Germany in the past, the Speaker of the House stressed, is still experiencing the consequences of the occupation. With the solution of the Cyprus problem and the benefits that will accrue to both communities, the Speaker added, Cyprus will be an example of peaceful coexistence in conditions of security and respect for the human rights of all Cypriots.
They also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest, such as the migration problem and the energy crisis.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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