Thank you, my dear Annalena, for the invitation to visit Berlin, the warm hospitality and the extremely useful exchange between us.
Our meeting today comes only a few weeks after the visit of the President of the Council of Europe to Berlin and his contacts with the President and Federal Chancellor of Germany.
This is a practical demonstration of the importance both countries attach to the deepening of bilateral relations and the political dialogue between us.
At precisely this critical international juncture, at a time when the foundations of international relations and the value system are being shaken, a targeted and meaningful dialogue at bilateral and multilateral level is essential.
We had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues relating to bilateral relations and examined ways of further deepening cooperation in various areas. Particularly in the fields of defence and security, Cyprus and Germany have recently signed the first cooperation protocol, which lays the foundations for a mutually beneficial relationship.
We also discussed ways to enhance coordination within the EU, and in particular in the European decision-making process.
We exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine following the Russian invasion, assessing the EU's coordinated response, but also the complications arising globally in the areas of energy supply and the food crisis.
In this context, I reiterated the need to preserve the unity of the EU, but also the importance of continuing our support for the Independence, Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of all states without exception.
Regarding migration, I thanked Germany for its constructive approach to efforts to find European solutions, but also for our bilateral cooperation and the assistance provided to Cyprus through EASO.
I would now like to turn to our efforts to keep alive the prospect of Cyprus' reunification.
Creating conditions for the resumption of the Cyprus settlement negotiations on the basis of UN resolutions has been and remains our absolute political priority.
I briefed Minister Baerbock on our efforts to regain the lost trust between the two sides and on the need for a new initiative by the UN Secretary General.
Unfortunately, all efforts are blocked by Turkey and the TC leadership, who have made it a priority to upgrade the secessionist entity in the occupied territories and to secure an equal international status.
I also briefed on Turkey's provocations against the RS in Varosha and the buffer zone, aimed at trying to create a new fait accompli. I personally thanked Minister Baerbock for Germany's support for the goal of reunification of Cyprus as well as the efforts to prevent illegal Turkish actions.
In conclusion, I would like to thank you once again, dear colleague, for this very fruitful meeting, which gave us the opportunity to confirm our common will to further promote friendship and cooperation between Cyprus and Germany.
I wish you all the best for the New Year, with health, security and prosperity for the whole world.
(NΓ)
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