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- Ελληνικά
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Anita Demetriou, met today with the President of the Republic of Italy, Mr Sergio Mattarella, in the framework of his official visit to Cyprus. Mr. Mattarella was accompanied by the Ambassador of Italy to Cyprus, Mrs. Federica Ferrari Bravo and senior officials of the Presidency. The Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Rome, Mr. George Christofides, was present at the meeting.
Welcoming Mr. Mattarella, the President noted the historical importance of the first visit of the President of the Italian Republic to Cyprus, which, as she pointed out, has important symbolism, as it coincides with the 20th anniversary of Cyprus' accession to the European Union and the 50th anniversary of Turkey's illegal invasion of Cyprus. The President expressed gratitude for Italy's support for the Cyprus problem and reaffirmed our side's commitment to the objective of achieving a just and viable solution, on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation, in accordance with international law and the relevant UN resolutions. Demetriou underlined that fifty years after the Turkish invasion, the Cypriot people are still experiencing the tragic consequences of the ongoing occupation, deprived of fundamental human rights and freedoms, while the drama of refugees, missing persons and internally displaced persons continues.
The President of the Parliament referred to the historic bonds of friendship that link Cyprus and Italy, based on their common Euro-Mediterranean identity, mutual respect and solidarity. He stressed the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation, especially at the level of the parliaments of the two countries and in the context of parliamentary diplomacy, in order to address the complex challenges facing Europe, especially in the light of the war in Ukraine, the flare-up in the Middle East and the increasing migratory pressures in the frontline countries. In this context, he deplored the instrumentalisation of the migration issue by Turkey in Cyprus and stressed the need to take immediate and effective action at the level of the European Union to ensure a fair sharing of responsibility between Member States on the basis of solidarity. In view of the upcoming elections for the European Parliament, Demetriou stressed the need to join forces to restore citizens' trust in the institutions and their sense of security, as this is the only way to tackle fanaticism, populism and extreme ideologies that undermine democracy.
The President of Italy underlined that the Cyprus problem is a European problem. Matarella said that Cyprus and Italy are linked by strong ties that bear the characteristics of their common Mediterranean culture and that the two countries can better understand the problems of the countries of the region. Noting that Cyprus is a hub between three continents, he stressed the importance of further strengthening cooperation between the two countries. He noted the essential role of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing the unusual, unpredictable and large-scale challenges facing Europe. On the issue of migration, the President of Italy stressed the need for an immediate agreement at EU level in order to relieve the frontline countries of disproportionate migratory pressures. Mr Matarella stressed that on this key issue, as in the field of defence and in all the rapid changes taking place, the EU's adaptation and speed of reaction must be commensurate. In conclusion, Mr Matarella stressed the urgency for leaders to spread a message of democracy as a vehicle for managing the problems that European citizens face every day.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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