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- Ελληνικά
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Anita Demetriou, met today with the President of Estonia, Mr Alar Karis, in the framework of his official visit to Cyprus. Mr Karis was accompanied by the Estonian Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus Karin Rannu, the President of the Estonian-Cypriot Friendship Group in the Estonian Parliament Kristo-Enn Vaga and senior officials. The Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Estonia Mr. Dimitris Samuel was also present at the meeting.
Welcoming the President of Estonia, the Speaker noted the importance of his visit to Cyprus, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the accession of Cyprus and Estonia to the European Union and the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. In the face of the complex challenges facing Europe today, the President said, the answer must in any case be more democracy, unity and solidarity and the defence of common European principles and values.
Regarding the Cyprus problem, Mrs Demetriou referred to the support for the efforts to resume talks for the resolution of the Cyprus problem, after a seven-year pause, through the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General Holguín Cuéllar. He added that the ongoing Turkish provocativeness and the unacceptable claims of the Turkish side for a "two-state" solution in Cyprus make it imperative to reach a solution. It is crucial, he stressed, to invest in peace, stability and security in Cyprus and beyond. He noted in this regard the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus to create a maritime corridor for the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the support it has received from the international community, which is indicative of the constructive and catalytic role that Cyprus can play in the Eastern Mediterranean as a bridge for dialogue and cooperation.
Referring to Ukraine, the Speaker pointed out that Cyprus has from the very first moment stood up for the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, being itself a victim of the Turkish invasion and violation of fundamental human rights. He stressed that the Ukrainian people should not have to experience the same tragic consequences that the Cypriot people are still experiencing in their daily lives fifty years after the Turkish invasion and ongoing occupation.
During the meeting, issues of common interest were also discussed in view of the upcoming elections to the European Parliament and the importance of a massive turnout of citizens, especially young people, at the polls was stressed. It was jointly expressed that the participation of all social groups in this process is essential in order to further strengthen the democratic legitimacy of the European construction and to eliminate the extreme political positions that undermine this perspective.
Finally, views were exchanged on the need to decouple from conventional fuels and properly prepare for the transition to green energy, investing in knowledge in this direction, as well as on the need to regulate toxic comments and bullying in social media.
(Text as sent from the House of Representatives)
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