-
.
- Ελληνικά
The Republic of Cyprus is a centre for humanitarian operations and evacuation of populations, and this role is recognised by the international community, President Nicos Christodoulides said today.
In his statements to journalists, while attending the naming ceremony of the "Stelios Pisis" park in Germasogeia this afternoon, and asked whether he will have a meeting next Thursday or Friday with the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General, Mrs. María Ángela Holguín, in Brussels, the President of the Republic said: "Yes, I will have a meeting with Ms. Holguín in Brussels, we have been in contact all these days, we will announce the specific day and time as soon as we get closer to the date."
Asked how this can be interpreted, the President said: "Interpret it positively, because it is a continuation of Ms Holguín's effort, an effort which we support not in words, but with concrete actions, with concrete initiatives, with concrete proposals, and we are here to do everything possible on our part to make Ms Holguín's mission a success."
Asked why the meeting is taking place outside Cyprus, the President said: "Because I will be in Brussels for the European Council, we discussed, Ms Holguín will obviously be there for other meetings and we agreed to meet there. There is no reason or no expediency."
Asked to comment on the Turkish Foreign Minister's statements, the President said: "I want to say to the Turkish Foreign Minister that, yes, the Republic of Cyprus is a centre of operations, it is a centre of humanitarian operations, humanitarian aid is being sent to Gaza supported by the international community. Yes, it is a centre of operations for the evacuation of civilians from the area, as we have done many times, as we have done recently. And I understand the difficulty of the Turkish Foreign Minister that the role of the Republic of Cyprus is recognized at the international level and he is trying through such statements to involve Cyprus in the conflict. Whatever he does, everyone knows what our role is: Sending humanitarian aid, evacuating populations.
It is a bit unfortunate to hear from the Foreign Minister of Turkey, who we all know very well what is happening in Turkey in relation to all these issues. So, I understand the uncomfortable position, the difficult position in which he is in precisely because of the recognition of the role of the Republic of Cyprus.
From then on, we are not involved, we are part of the solution and not of the problem, we are part of the solution not with words, but with actions."
In response to a journalist's remark that there is orchestration of threats, the President of the Republic said: "I am not going to engage in such a dialogue. That's where they want to take away the debate. We take everything very seriously of course, we are not downplaying anything, but we are not going to engage in a public debate that aims to serve the narrative of the Turkish Foreign Minister."
(PM/NYAN/NZ)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
