Fellow members of New Democracy,
Thank you for the invitation and the honour to welcome the Congress of the largest progressive party in the country. The party that is identified with the consolidation of democracy and the prosperity of Greece.
Dear President, my dear Kyriakos,
I would be remiss if, before any other reference, I did not express the grateful thanks of the Cypriot state and myself personally for the unreserved support to the suffering Hellenism of Cyprus.
Most important of all is not only intergovernmental cooperation, not only cooperation at the highest level. What matters most is the brotherly love between the Greeks of Greece, metropolitan Hellenism and the Hellenism of Cyprus, is the solidarity, but also the pain and sensitivity that each of the two Greek elements show in the trials of one or the other.
And I cannot but pay tribute to the Greek brothers who gave their blood defending the integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. We are united by blood ties beyond historical ties and that is the most important thing.
I want at the same time, speaking at the Congress of New Democracy, the party that honours the country in the European People's Party, which honours the country in the European Union with the active and active participation of the Prime Minister, I would like to mention that through the close cooperation of the two Governments, we are trying and striving for a more people-centred Europe, for a strategically united Europe, for a Europe that has the European citizen at its heart, a Europe that cares for everyone, that defends the welfare state and the rule of law.
At the same time, I cannot fail to recognise that through close cooperation Greece and Cyprus are a pillar of stability and strategic partners not only in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, but also in the Arabian Gulf and beyond. At this point I would like to recall that the trilateral cooperation started under Antonis Samaras, and was consolidated and became of strategic importance under Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
By working together we have managed to consolidate the feeling that our countries want and love peace. We do not seek to exclude anyone. Through cooperation, what we seek is to see that international law is implemented and applied, which is why we are not indifferent to what is happening in Ukraine. That is why we stand in solidarity and united with the decisions of Europe.
And I want to tell you that the events in Ukraine, the invasion, the violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine have opened up wounds for us, the Greeks of Cyprus, and I am sure for you too, because they have brought to our memory the same arguments, the same pretexts, the same atrocities that the Turks committed against the Hellenism of Cyprus.
We stand in solidarity and united with the decisions of the EU, while at the same time defending our national interests. We do not accept two measures and two weights, we do not accept the tolerance of the neutralists, we cannot ask for the sacrifice of the peoples of Europe, the well-being and some people to profit from wars or to reap political, economic benefits.
We will continue in the same positive way, but also in the same strong way, to oppose what we consider unfair.
Addressing our sister party of the New Democracy today, I want to convey a message. The message that distinguishes our policies on our national issues. We follow the philosophy of patriotic realism without at the same time ignoring the pride that history dictates. An honourable solution, an honourable peace, but no retreat, no enslavement, no submission to any illegal claims.
As you are well aware, I am now in the 10th year of my term of office as President of the Republic. I have not failed to do what was necessary to achieve a solution that would respond to the concerns of the Greek Cypriots as well. To the concerns of whether, the next day, the state, or the solution that would yield a state, would be functional or moribund. Unfortunately, Turkey's claims went so far as to turn the Republic of Cyprus into a protectorate of Ankara and this could never be accepted. Nor will we retreat from positions that safeguard national dignity.
Today is the Prime Minister's day, it is your day. I feel proud because I was fortunate enough to address your conference. A congress that is historic, a congress in which you will be called upon to make decisions that will affect the further progress of the country and I have no doubt that you will succeed because there is a solid leader in the leadership. There are leaders who surround him and who provide the answers to difficult questions, and difficult questions test leaders.
I wish the conference success and all the best for Greece and Cyprus.
(PM/MB)
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