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- Ελληνικά
The first Cyprus-Greece Intergovernmental Summit took place today in Athens, led by the President of the Republic Mr.Nikos Christodoulides and the Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with the participation of a large number of Ministers of the two Governments, during which bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues of common interest was examined.
After the Plenary Session of the Summit, which was held at Maximou Mansion, which followed the bilateral contacts of the Ministers of Cyprus and Greece by portfolio, the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of Greece made statements to the media.
In his statements after the Plenary Session of the first Intergovernmental Summit, the Prime Minister of Greece said that "'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts'."
In his statements after the Plenary Session of the first Intergovernmental Summit, the Prime Minister of Greece said that "'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts'. This saying of Aristotle was confirmed today in this first, official, solemn Intergovernmental Summit between Greece and Cyprus.
With President Christodoulides, we have thus implemented the joint decision we took in March, strengthening the inextricable ties between our two countries, coordinating the pace of our Governments in many different fields. But also by strengthening the role of Greece and Cyprus, Cyprus and Greece, as pillars of security in the troubled Eastern Mediterranean.
The solidarity of Athens and Nicosia is also clearly reflected in the Joint Communiqué on the Cyprus problem, the resolution of which is a firm national priority.
The aim is always to restart negotiations in the UN framework. And as long as the present situation lasts, the tension will increase. It is clear that the two-state position is completely unacceptable to us. And we look forward to the appointment of a new UN Secretary-General's Envoy to explore the prospects for the resumption of negotiations.
The European Union, as we have discussed many times, should also have a role in the resumption of negotiations, also on the basis of the European Council Conclusions of 30 June. At the same time, Greece continues to strive to improve relations with Turkey, always on the basis of the rules of good neighbourliness and always with respect for international law. We believe, and I am glad that we also agree with President Christodoulides on this point, that progress in this area will ultimately be to the benefit of the Cyprus problem.
I will note, however, that almost 50 years since the wound in Cyprus was opened and Greece was freed from dictatorship, our states are opening, for the first time in such an organised manner, new horizons beyond our national issue.
Thus, with the first Intergovernmental Summit, our relations are enriched and our coordination is now extended to trilateral and multilateral formats, within the European Union and internationally.
This is an achievement which will have a significant positive impact on the internal life of both countries, first Cyprus and then Greece, which have left behind a period of deep crisis, moving towards development, always with the will to reform.
We can thus exchange experiences and know-how in many areas. I am referring, for example, to the possibility that Greece, which has made significant steps in digital transformation, could share with Cyprus the very positive experiences of gov.gr, the cooperation that we already have and can further strengthen in the field of civil protection, where 112 is a tool that saves lives, cooperation, for example, in the field of shipping, where we must make a greater effort and within the EU to highlight the importance of Greek and Cypriot shipping as pillars of strategic autonomy. Better late than never. But we now have an obligation to run faster and make up for lost ground, because many common experiences, many common initiatives can be developed and I think they will be mutually beneficial.
Of course, our discussions could not omit an analysis of the dramatic developments in the Middle East. President Christodoulides and I were also in Paris yesterday for the conference organised by President Macron on humanitarian support for Gaza. We again expressed our deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and the risk of the conflict spreading to the wider region. Greece and Cyprus support Israel's right to self-defence, but always in accordance with international law and especially in accordance with international humanitarian law following the unprecedented brutality of the attack on Israel's territory.
We do, however, and we will not tire of saying this, separate the terrorist organisation Hamas and its activities from the Palestinian people and its leadership. Athens and Nicosia are obviously in favour of the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
We consider it a priority to assist, through humanitarian pauses and aid corridors, in order to support as much as possible those who are most in need today, and that is the civilians of Gaza, mainly women and children, which is why we are present, we are coordinating every relevant initiative, we are states with geographical proximity in the region, Cyprus even more so than Greece, we have long-standing relations of trust, and Cyprus and the Palestinian Authority have a long-standing relationship of trust. We are therefore both reliable mediators in the Middle East.
I would like to congratulate President Christodoulides on his initiative to seek maritime routes for humanitarian support to Gaza. It is a very well thought out initiative. I reiterate the willingness of the Greek Government to participate actively if we can and if we can overcome the many, the truth is, technical difficulties that such an initiative always creates.
And of course we must not forget that the final solution can only be political: a viable two-state solution in accordance with international law and UN resolutions. Otherwise, this troubled zone of the Middle East will continue to produce blood and pain. We reaffirmed our excellent cooperation and the need to promote environmentally friendly forms of energy production.
And we talked about the flagship EuroAsia Interconnector project undertaken by ADMIE, as well as the Presidency of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum that Greece will take over in 2024. I attach very, very great importance to the electricity interconnection project, it is absolutely critical for the energy sufficiency of Cyprus. It is a project that is not just energy-related, it has a deep geopolitical footprint and we are glad that we will be more actively involved in its implementation, but also that the Republic of Cyprus at the supreme level will participate in this effort.
The presence of all the competent Ministers from different sectors, Health, Education, Culture, Defence, Immigration, Civil Protection, indicates this will of our two Governments for a more upgraded, closer, more practical cooperation with concrete and measurable results.
I want to thank you again for your presence in Athens and we look forward to the next Intergovernmental Conference, in Cyprus, a year from now, so that we can set new goals and of course evaluate the progress we have achieved during this year."
For his part, President Christodoulides said: "It is with great pleasure that I am in Athens, in what I would say is a historic meeting, in which we are implementing our joint decision to establish the intergovernmental cooperation - Higher Cooperation Council between Cyprus and Greece. From our first meeting in March 2023, we not only noted the absence of such institutionalized cooperation, which both countries have with third countries, but we agreed on the need to institutionalize it and the multi-level benefits that would result from such institutionalized cooperation, And I am delighted that a few months later, I am in Athens today with 11 members of my Cabinet, 9 Ministers, the Government Spokesperson and the Secretary of the Cabinet, at the first Cyprus-Greece Intergovernmental Summit.
I am therefore particularly happy because our joint decision is taking shape today. A decision that, taking into account what has been discussed and what has been agreed during the bilateral meetings of the Ministers, but also at our joint meeting that has just been concluded, is not only of symbolic importance. First and foremost, it is a meeting of substantial importance, with concrete results, with action plans to be followed, with deliverables, and with the necessary mechanism for monitoring the implementation of what has been decided.
In this context, today's first Intergovernmental Meeting was particularly productive and effective and I would like to express my thanks to my friend Kyriakos and of course to all the Ministers who participated for the preparation that was done, for the open and frank dialogue that took place, and of course for the very substantial decisions that were taken.
Today's meetings reaffirmed the excellent relations and outstanding cooperation between our countries on a wide range of issues. At the same time, however, they proved that the 'enemy of the good is the best' and that there is always scope for strengthening cooperation in specific areas, while in some other areas the expertise of one country can be of decisive help to the other. The example of 112, digital transformation, are some of the areas, the digitization of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, and others.
Through the Intergovernmental Cooperation between the two countries, we aim to have even better coordination and more enhanced cooperation, not only in foreign policy and defense issues, where you all understand that cooperation has been established for decades, but also in the whole spectrum of governmental work, taking into account the current challenges we face today.
In this context, the timing of today's meeting also determined to a large extent the subject matter of our discussions. I refer in particular to the dramatic developments in the Middle East and their impact on the lives of thousands of innocent civilians. These developments, as well as the general climate of instability in the Middle East, directly affect Cyprus and Greece due to our proximity to the region and our close relations with all countries. Our two countries, as actors of security and stability in the region, have already undertaken important actions and contacts, offering concrete solutions to de-escalate the crisis and address the enormous humanitarian needs that arise.
In this context, we also discussed in depth with the Prime Minister the initiative for the creation of a maritime corridor for the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza. I thank the Prime Minister very much for his support, for Greece's readiness to contribute and to participate actively and substantially in this effort. Cyprus and Greece, and this is a decision we took today, are not part of the problem, but by taking advantage of the excellent relations with the states in the region, their status as EU member states, they can, and this is exactly what we are trying to do, be part of the solution, offering solutions, participating substantially in addressing any challenges that arise.
We also had the opportunity today to discuss the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, in particular taking into account the reaction of the Turkish side so far to the UN Secretary General's intention to appoint a person to explore the prospects for the resumption of negotiations, as well as recent developments in the Dead Zone and the Turkish side's backtracking on the implementation of what was agreed.
We also discussed Greek-Turkish and Euro-Turkish issues. Any progress in Greece's relations with Turkey is something that will also help our own efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.
We believe, with regard to Euro-Turkish issues, in view of the European Council in December, that this is an important opportunity to reiterate to Turkey the message that the prospect of strengthening its cooperation with Europe - something that both Greece and Cyprus really want, we want to cooperate with Turkey and within the framework of the EU - any progress there goes through progress in Greek and Turkish relations as well.
We believe that, with regard to Euro-Turkish issues, in view of the European Council in December, this is an important opportunity to reiterate to Turkey the message that the prospect of strengthening its cooperation with Europe - something that both Greece and Cyprus really want, we want to cooperate with Turkey within the framework of the EU - any progress there goes through progress in Greek and Turkish relations as well. I think this is another indication of the importance we attach to our now institutionalised cooperation.
In addition to the issues I have mentioned, we have today launched decisions on a number of other issues. Allow me to telegraph some of them, because there has been considerable preparation and work by all the Ministers involved, and it is another indication of the seriousness with which they approach this institutionalised cooperation :
On asylum and migration issues, it was agreed to establish a joint committee to promote the implementation of the recent EU Action Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean. It is very important that this was adopted and even more important to promote its implementation. Greece and Cyprus have an interest, we have common goals and we should work for its implementation.
It was also agreed to exchange expertise on reception and hosting structures, with emphasis on the operation of centres for vulnerable and unaccompanied minors, as well as to strengthen cooperation in the field of returns.
In relation to Civil Protection and Civil Defence issues, it is important to take the expertise of the Greek side.
In relation to Civil Protection and Civil Defence issues, it is important to take the expertise of the Greek side. At the same time, taking into account what we experienced this summer, we need to see how we face such challenges.
The Greek Prime Minister very aptly referred to energy issues, where there has long been enhanced cooperation both bilaterally and regionally, for example in the EuroAsia Interconnector, and the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum in Cairo. We decided to move forward with the exchange of know-how in the areas of storage, security of electricity grids and 'smart meters', while we will also cooperate on offshore renewables.
In Education, an area to which both Cyprus and Greece attach particular importance, we agreed to upgrade the existing cooperation by considering, among other things, the creation of a mechanism for the immediate resolution of problems of our students studying in both countries.
In Education, an area to which both Cyprus and Greece attach particular importance, we agreed to upgrade the existing cooperation by considering, among other things, the creation of a mechanism for the immediate resolution of problems of our students studying in both countries. On the occasion of my presence here, I met earlier with a delegation of the Cypriot National Student Union and was briefed on a number of issues facing them. I am sure that similar problems are faced by Greek students in Cyprus and it is important that this mechanism exists to resolve the problems.
On culture issues, we have much to learn from your expertise, to help the newly established Deputy Ministry of Culture in Cyprus, both in terms of structure and substance.
In the field of health, we will undertake a revision of the 1987 intergovernmental agreement in order to respond to today's data and challenges.
In the field of health, we will undertake a revision of the 1987 intergovernmental agreement in order to respond to today's data and challenges.
In the field of health, we will undertake a revision of the 1987 intergovernmental agreement in order to respond to today's data and challenges.
In shipping, I fully agree with the Greek Prime Minister, apart from the excellent cooperation that exists, it is important for Cyprus and Greece, Greece and Cyprus to highlight the importance of European shipping, taking into account the EU's efforts for strategic autonomy and geopolitical developments in general.
Finally, and this is particularly important, the Government Project Coordinators, the Deputy Minister to the President and the Minister of State, exchanged best practices, but I think the most important thing is to monitor the implementation of everything that has been agreed today.
I will conclude by reiterating that I am particularly happy because today we have taken an important step towards further institutionalising and strengthening our cooperation in a more structured way. With the holding of this first Intergovernmental Meeting, the first High Level Cooperation Council, we are implementing the strategic objective of further strengthening the cooperation mechanisms of our countries to respond more effectively to the challenges and issues arising from the constantly changing regional and international environment.
I look forward to hosting you in Cyprus in 2024, at the 2nd Intergovernmental Meeting. I am sure that before that we will meet many more times."
(PM/MS/EP)
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