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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Peter Pellegrini, who is visiting Cyprus, to represent his country at the events organised by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP) to mark 60 years of its presence in Cyprus, at the invitation of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Colin Stewart. Mr. Pellegrini is accompanied by the Slovak Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr. Martin Bezák, the Chairman of the European Affairs Committee of the Slovak National Assembly, Mr. Ján Ferenčák, the Vice-Chairman of the Defence and Security Committee, Mr. Samuel Migaľ, the Slovak Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr. Igor Melicher, and senior officials. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of Cyprus to Slovakia, Mr Michael Karagiorgis.
In welcoming her Slovak counterpart, the Speaker noted the symbolism of Mr Pellegrini's visit to Cyprus, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the 20th anniversary of the accession of Cyprus and Slovakia to the European Union (EU).
The President of the Parliament noted the symbolism of Mr Pellegrini's visit to Cyprus, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the 20th anniversary of the accession of Cyprus and Slovakia to the European Union (EU). Demetriou noted that Mr Pellegrini's presence at the UNFICYP events is a tangible proof of Slovakia's unwavering support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.
In the context of the meeting, the two Presidents underlined the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and their Parliaments and expressed their mutual will to further strengthen bilateral relations in all areas, including parliamentary relations.
Demetriou presented Mr Pellegrini with the Medal of Honour of the House of Representatives as a sign of deep appreciation, as she underlined, for Slovakia's principled stand and firm support for the efforts to achieve a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Resolutions. A solution, the Speaker stressed, which will reunite the country in conditions of lasting peace, stability and prosperity for the benefit of the entire Cypriot people. In addition, Demetriou expressed gratitude for Slovakia's significant contribution to UNFICYP, as well as for the initiatives of the Slovak Embassy, which, among others, aim at promoting inter-community dialogue between political parties.
For his part, Mr Pellegrini presented Ms Demetriou with a Medal of Honour of the Slovak Parliament in recognition and appreciation of the excellent relations between the two countries, particularly in the context of their joint participation in the EU. Reaffirming his country's principled position on the Cyprus problem and its resolution efforts, Mr Pellegrini noted that the Slovak contingent in UNFICYP is his country's largest military mission abroad, while underlining the very important role it plays in ensuring peace in the context of the UN mission in Cyprus.
Referring to the appointment of the UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy and the efforts of Ms. Holguín Cuéllar to resume negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem, Demetriou stressed the importance of finding common ground for the resumption of talks. She also stressed that the Turkish claim for a "two-state" solution will never be accepted and condemned the intensifying Turkish provocations both on the ground, within the buffer zone, most recently the incidents in Deneia, Pyla and the enclosed area of Famagusta, and in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus. The Turkish transgression, Demetriou pointed out, seriously undermines the ongoing efforts to resume negotiations. She stressed that we must remain committed to our common principles and that the international community must show the same determination in all cases of violations of international law and human rights, wherever they are committed.
Subsequently, the two Presidents exchanged views on the migration and refugee crisis. In particular, the Speaker noted the disproportionate migratory pressures faced by Cyprus as a frontline country in receiving migrants. In this regard, Demetriou criticised the instrumentalisation of the migration issue by Turkey in Cyprus and stressed the urgent need for immediate and effective action at EU level, which will ensure a fair distribution of responsibility among the Member States of the Union on the basis of the principle of solidarity.
During the meeting, issues of common interest were also discussed in view of the upcoming elections for the European Parliament and the forthcoming presidential elections in Slovakia. In this context, the common will to send a strong message to increase civic participation, emphasising the common foundations and values of the European project to address contemporary challenges such as illegal immigration, energy and food security, the consequences of the war in Ukraine, but also in response to extreme political positions that undermine the path of European integration was underlined.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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