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- Ελληνικά
The President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr.Nikos Christodoulides, arriving today at the European Council Summit in Brussels, said the following in his statements to journalists:
"First and foremost, let me welcome yesterday's inclusion in the European Council conclusions of the Cypriot initiative on the humanitarian sea corridor to Gaza.
I consider it particularly important that the effort of the Republic of Cyprus is recognised, not only in the conclusions, but also in the interventions made. During the debate, all the Heads of State welcomed our country's initiative. I think this is a very positive development.
It highlights something that we have been trying to do for a long time, our role in the region. It was something that the UN Secretary General himself mentioned in his intervention and in the private meeting that we had, that they will further support this Nicosia initiative.
We had a very good meeting with the Secretary General, I must acknowledge that. We know the difficulties, the problems, the challenges, but we also discussed the concrete next steps, and I hope that soon, in April, there will be some developments, which will help us to see how close we are to resuming the talks from where they were interrupted in Crans-Montana."
Asked if there are any developments on the Euro-Turkish issue, the President of the Republic said. Yesterday the three of us had a meeting, namely the Chancellor of Germany, the President of the Council and myself. Then there were consultations at a technical level. Late in the evening I spoke again with the German Chancellor. These discussions will continue today, and we hope that there will be a positive outcome.
I repeat, our position - and I mentioned this to the German Chancellor, whom I thanked for his increased interest in the Cyprus issue, given that Germany played a role in the appointment of the Secretary General's personal envoy, but also in the reaction from Turkey - is that we more than any other member state want to see positive developments in the Euro-Turkish issue. Positive developments, which also go through the Cyprus problem, through a step-by-step approach, if you like. An approach in which, through a strengthened role for the European Union, which has the tools to lead us to a mutually beneficial situation. We will see today how the consultations, which, as I mentioned, are ongoing, will end."
Asked whether there will be a result of the consultations today, President Christodoulides replied. I have to tell you that at the same time there is also interest from other Member States. So in case there is a common approach between us, possibly something will be placed at the level of the European Council.
For example, I was approached yesterday by other heads of state, for example the French President, who is interested in both the Euro-Turkish and the Cyprus issue. He asked me to inform him about the consultations with Germany. We will see how today develops and, depending on that, either there will be something on the table or it will be done at a subsequent Council. We also have a Council in April. The consultations are continuing and we will see what the outcome will be."
Asked about the issue of security and defence in the European Union, the President of the Republic said. This is an area that falls within the broader framework of the European Union's strategic autonomy, and it is something of which we are ardent supporters. I was pleased yesterday, because there was a general consensus on the need for the European Union to go even further on defence and security issues, for all states to invest more, but also to strengthen the European Union.
It was an issue that we discussed, which touches on the idea of the President of the Commission to create a Defence Commissioner to further strengthen the European defence industry. As the European Union, if we want to claim what we all call the geopolitical role of the European Union, [WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT] this geopolitical role goes through both a strong will, but also through political acts and actions to strengthen the defence and security sector."
For footage of the President's remarks click here.
(BAT/NZ/MS)
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