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- Ελληνικά
The President of the Republic Mr Nicos Christodoulides and the President of Italy Mr Sergio Mattarella today reaffirmed their common will to further strengthen the already excellent relations between Cyprus and Italy, in their statements to the media, following their meeting this afternoon at the Presidential Palace.
During their joint statements, in the context of the first official visit of an Italian President to the Republic of Cyprus, President Christodoulides said that this first visit of the President of Italy to Cyprus is historic, adding that "it is an indication of the mutual desire to strengthen the already close relations."
Cyprus and Italy are linked since antiquity through a common historical tradition, through cultural exchanges of our peoples and of course through our common home which is the Mediterranean Sea. Our historical relations are highlighted in many archaeological sites in Cyprus, including the Roman mosaics of Paphos, my homeland, which we will have the opportunity to visit tomorrow with President Mattarella.
Our countries cooperate closely bilaterally, but also within the European Union (EU), and I am particularly pleased that President Mattarella's visit also coincides with the 20th anniversary of our accession to the EU, which for us is the most important success for our country.
Cyprus and Italy also cooperate within the framework of the nine Mediterranean Member States of the EU, but also on the issue of migration within the five Mediterranean Member States in particular.
"Today with the Italian President we had a very productive meeting where we discussed, among other things, our bilateral relations. We emphasized areas where our cooperation is very close, such as energy, where the Italian ENI is active in a large number of blocks of the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and recently we even had the positive completion of the drilling evaluation in the "Kronos 2" field.
At the same time, we discussed ways of further strengthening our cooperation on defence and security issues, as well as on cultural issues.
In terms of defence, there is already close cooperation with other countries, such as Greece and France, through joint exercises and training. There is a very important annual exercise on the need to ensure security conditions and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In the field of culture, it is our common desire to deepen our cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that will institutionalize cooperation between the two countries.
I publicly thank the Italian Government, the Italian authorities for the cooperation of our competent services, very recently for the repatriation of antiquities of Cypriot origin that were found in Italy.
I publicly thank the Italian Government, the Italian authorities for the cooperation of our competent services, very recently for the repatriation of antiquities of Cypriot origin that were found in Italy.
Of course, today we could not fail to discuss the Cyprus problem and Euro-Turkish issues, which are interrelated, also taking into account that this year is another anniversary for the Republic of Cyprus, a sad anniversary, since it is 50 years since the Turkish invasion and the continued occupation of European territory, the territory of an EU Member State.
In this context, I conveyed to the Italian President - with whom we will shortly visit the ceasefire line - my readiness and determination to make every possible effort to resume talks to resolve the Cyprus problem on the basis of the agreed framework. Another area where the EU can play a decisive role, taking into account both the tools at its disposal and the need to further strengthen Turkey's relations with the EU.
We also discussed migration, a huge challenge for both countries. We note with interest the Italian initiatives on this issue and we agree with the Italian approach to tackle the root causes of the phenomenon, but also the need for collective action on the part of the EU and the importance of starting to discuss within the EU some issues that until now and for many years, unfortunately, we have not discussed, for example the issue of Syria.
This year also marks two years since the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This year marks two years since the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine.
From the very first moment, the Republic of Cyprus has been on the right side of history, in favour of respect for international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states.
And we welcomed the fact that at EU level this common approach exists.
We could not but discuss the developments in our region, in Gaza and in Israel, as Mediterranean countries we are neighbouring the region.
We are following the developments with great concern. On the part of the Republic of Cyprus, as a Member State directly adjacent to the region, which maintains excellent relations with all neighbouring states, I expressed the need for an end to hostilities and the start of a political process, on the basis of a two-state solution, as the only option for a final resolution of the conflict.
On this issue too, the Italian President and I agreed on the need for the EU to play a more prominent role in developments, both in relation to the transfer of humanitarian aid and the launch of the peace process.
In conclusion, I would like once again to express my deep satisfaction for your presence in Cyprus, for your positive response to my invitation for the first, historic, visit of an Italian President, a personality who is highly respected both in Italy and in Europe, but also internationally. It is a great honour for our country that you are with us today."
For his part, the Italian President, speaking through an interpreter, said, among other things. He added: "We have witnessed the deepest friendly ties between our countries. A friendship that has its roots in antiquity."
The President of Italy also said that "over the years, Cyprus-Italy relations have been strengthened with increased strategic cooperation in the field of Energy, but also in other areas where we cooperate strongly, both for Cyprus and for the whole EU. I am referring to the Defence sector. Tomorrow I will also visit the Bergamini frigate which is in Limassol. I thank Cyprus for its immediate availability for cooperation. We also discussed cultural cooperation in the field of archaeology and I am particularly happy to visit tomorrow the house of Dionysus in Paphos."
Referring to Cyprus' accession to the EU, he said that this is a very important milestone, not only for Cyprus but also for the EU.
He added that they also discussed the upcoming cooperation that the EU has before it, enlargement and that during their talks earlier they made references to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
On migration, President Mattarella said that Italy and Cyprus are frontline countries, adding that we have the duty and the capacity as the EU to transform an anarchic situation of exploitation of slave traders into a "coordinated arrival in Europe, according to the needs of the host countries, but legally. In circumstances that require a common European policy, it is urgent to define a new treaty on asylum. It is urgent to define it soon and to resort to agreements with the countries of origin of migratory flows and to work together to improve living conditions there."
He also referred to the common principles and values of the two countries in terms of respect for international law.
The Italian President stressed the importance of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each state and, referring to the Cyprus problem, said: "This year is a sad anniversary where it is imperative to finally resolve the Cyprus problem which is fundamental for the balance in the Mediterranean, not only for Cyprus, but for all Mediterranean countries and I include the EU countries."
He added that he expressed appreciation to President Christodoulides for his readiness to continue the dialogue with Turkey to resolve the Cyprus problem, noting: "I reiterated that Italy supports a bicommunal bi-zonal solution on the basis of United Nations (UN) resolutions. And we welcome the appointment of the UN Secretary General's personal envoy who has a difficult task ahead of her, but is already actively involved in the efforts."
She also added that tomorrow she will visit the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and the Committee of Inquiry on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP).
President Mattarella also said that he and President Christodoulides discussed the situation in the Middle East, noting that he expressed his appreciation for Cyprus' readiness to become a base for a humanitarian aid mission in Gaza.
"I share the need for a ceasefire," the Italian President said, adding that it is "a situation that poses risks for other problems to erupt." He also said that Italy is ready to support any initiative aimed at providing humanitarian aid.
Finally, he noted that during their meeting the two Presidents found that Cyprus and Italy share the same views and together they can "positively influence EU policies and choices."
Afterwards, the two Presidents went to the Nicosia Town Hall, where they were welcomed by the Mayor of Nicosia, Mr. Constantinos Yiorkatzis and then walked along the green line in the old town.
The two Presidents were accompanied by President Christodoulides' wife and President Mattarella's daughter.
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