The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mrs. Anita Demetriou received today a delegation of executives of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Organization (AHEPA), the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), the American Jewish Organization B'nai B'rith International (BBI) and the Council of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (COP), as part of the 5th Greek-Jewish Mission to Cyprus, Israel and Greece. The delegation is led by Mr. Jimmy Kokotas (AHEPA), Mr. Nick Larigakis (AHI), Mr. Daniel S. Mariaschin (BBI) and Ms. Dianne Lob (COP). The Commissioner for Humanitarian and Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Fotis Fotiou, was present at the meeting.
Welcoming the delegation, the President of the Parliament expressed her sincere appreciation for the continued interest and substantial action of the diaspora of the three countries on issues concerning and affecting Cyprus and in particular on the Cyprus problem.
Referring to her recent visit to the Polish-Ukrainian border in the framework of the Meeting of the Women Speakers of the Parliaments of the EU Member States, the Speaker of the Parliament stressed that Cyprus, having experienced for 48 years the consequences of the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of part of its territory, remains firmly committed to respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all states. It noted in this regard the resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine adopted unanimously by the House of Representatives on 24 February 2022. Cyprus has an additional reason to stand by the Ukrainian people and to support in every possible way the Ukrainian refugees, especially women and children.
Referring also to the role that Turkey seeks to play in the current crisis and the non-implementation by this country of the sanctions imposed collectively against Russia, Ms Demetriou stressed that the logic of two measures and two stations cannot be applied, nor can the international community show selective tolerance in matters of principle.
The Speaker stressed that Cyprus attaches particular importance to trilateral cooperation with Greece and Israel at all levels, noting the added value of the parliamentary dimension of such cooperation in terms of further strengthening and expanding the objectives set at the level of Governments, including the prospect of US participation in the Greece, Cyprus, Israel parliamentary trilateral mechanism. The Speaker also noted existing opportunities to further strengthen relations and cooperation between the House of Representatives and the US Congress.
During the ensuing discussion and exchange of views, Mrs. Demetriou expressed the readiness of the House of Representatives to undertake joint initiatives and actions, with the participation of diaspora organizations and in cooperation with the Commissioner of the Presidency responsible for these issues.
(IK)
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