The Cyprus problem as an open wound in Europe will be addressed tonight by President Nicos Anastasiades at the EU-NATO dinner in Madrid, and he will stress that its resolution will have beneficial results in terms of the stability and security of the wider region, Government Spokesman Mr. In his statements to the media from Madrid, where he is accompanying President Anastasiades, the Government Spokesman said that "the President of the Republic, accepting the invitation of the Spanish Prime Minister, Mr. Pedro Sanchez, will participate in the Euro-Atlantic working dinner for EU and NATO leaders on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Alliance Summit being held in the Spanish capital.
During the dinner, President Anastasiades will have the opportunity, like the other participating leaders, to present the positions of the Republic of Cyprus on the need for cooperation between the EU and NATO, on the basis, inter alia, of respect for the decision-making autonomy and procedures of the two organisations, in the light of the tectonic changes and new challenges arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
These new challenges do not only relate to aspects of traditional security, but also extend to the areas of hybrid threats and cyber-attacks, energy security, the global food crisis and migration.
In this context, the President of the Republic will reiterate Cyprus' position that, given its growing geopolitical importance, the EU can play an active role in the effort to contain security threats and seek solutions to crisis situations, with diplomacy and the UN Charter at its core.
Increasing the EU's strategic autonomy - which does not prevent it from cooperating in a coherent manner with NATO and other partners - can make it an effective security provider on the European continent and beyond. He will reiterate that the Cyprus problem is still an open wound in Europe and that its just, viable and workable resolution, in accordance with both international and European law, will have beneficial results, not only for Cyprus and the Cypriots, but also for the stability and security of the wider region."
(PM/MB/IK)
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