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- Ελληνικά
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Anita Demetriou, met today with the President of Iraq, Mr Abdul Latif Rashid, who is on an official visit to Cyprus. Mr. Rashid was accompanied by Mrs. Hayfaa Hussein Hatem, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Mohammed Hussein, the Ambassador of Iraq to Cyprus, based in Athens, Mr. Mouayed Saleh and senior officials. The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of Cyprus to Iraq, based in Amman, Mr. Michael Ioannou.
Welcoming Mr. Rashid, the Speaker of the Parliament noted the friendly relations between Cyprus and Iraq, which, as she pointed out, are based on mutual understanding, mutual respect and the common will of the two countries to work for the prevalence of conditions of peace, stability and prosperity in the wider region. Both sides underlined the importance of the current visit of the President of Iraq to Cyprus, which, it was noted, gives a strong impetus to the relations and cooperation prospects between the two countries in areas of common interest and at various levels, including the parliamentary level.
During the meeting, the President of Iraq referred to the difficulties and challenges his country has faced over the years as a result of the wars and the fight against terrorism and the arduous efforts made to bring about stability and calm. Mr. Rashid noted the important role of Cyprus, due to its geographical location and its membership of the European Union and his country's desire to further develop cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade, business, tourism, including the need for a direct air link between the two countries, as well as in the field of culture. Demetriou underlined our side's commitment to the objective of resuming negotiations from the point where they were suspended in Crans Montana, with a view to reaching a solution within the agreed framework and on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, noting the significant opportunities for progress, prosperity and cooperation that may result from the resolution of the Cyprus problem, for the benefit of all the Cypriot people, as well as the entire region. The Speaker condemned Turkey's ongoing provocations and illegal actions against the Republic of Cyprus and other countries. She stressed that we will never accept the Turkish claim for a "two-state" solution, which would legitimize the achievements of the Turkish invasion and occupation. He underlined the urgent need for a decisive response from the international community against any violation of international law and avoiding the logic of two measures and two stations.
More specifically, with regard to inter-parliamentary relations between Cyprus and Iraq, possible ways of developing dialogue and cooperation at various levels were discussed, following the forthcoming election of a new Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament.
Upon his arrival at the House of Representatives, the President of Iraq signed the visitors' book and visited, accompanied by Mrs Demetriou, the Plenary Chamber of the House.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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