The establishment of an institutionalized intergovernmental cooperation body, which will provide for joint meetings of the Councils of Ministers of Greece and Cyprus in the presence of the Heads of the two Governments, was announced today by the President of the Republic Mr.Nikos Christodoulides and the Prime Minister of Greece Mr.Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
President Christodoulides and Prime Minister Mitsotakis had a private meeting at noon at the Maximou Mansion, as part of the President's official visit to Greece, followed by extended talks between the delegations of the two Governments.
Afterwards, the President and the Prime Minister made statements to the media.
Welcoming President Christodoulides, Mitsotakis said "Mr. President of the Republic of Cyprus, I welcome you today in Athens on your first official visit since your election. Congratulations. I wish you good strength and endurance in the difficult times."
Dear Nikos, unfortunately our meeting is taking place with the clouds of sorrow from the tragedy of Tempi still heavy over Greece and Cyprus. Because in this terrible accident two young people of the Megalonissos lost their lives: Anastasia and Kyprianos.
However, as sad and angry as we feel, we are determined to change everything that has hurt us: decades of gaps in infrastructure, but also unacceptable behaviour of state officials who, unfortunately, also come from yesterday. In assuming responsibility on behalf of the political system, I have declared and I declare one thing: that I will be the first in the battle to eradicate every island of the old anachronistic state from the country. This is the great battle that we must win.
Our peoples are together in this test as well. As they are always together in the face of joys and sorrows. That is why, dear Nikos, I would like you to accept our condolences to the families and all brother Cypriots, with the same warmth with which we have accepted your support. On the same side and always with the same feelings.
This is what we will continue to do and, indeed, especially at this juncture. Because, indeed, you took office in the midst of geopolitical volatility and political volatility. With the wound of the war in Ukraine still open and with revisionism and the questioning of international borders being openly expressed.
And today it is more necessary than ever to strengthen the coalition between Greece and Cyprus. Our close cooperation starts already next week at the European Council.
President Anastasiades and I have had a long course of common struggles in Brussels and I am ready in your new beginning to continue our great common vision for the resolution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the UN resolutions.
With your predecessor, Athens and Nicosia have succeeded in recent years in expanding the diplomatic influence of the National Front in all fields. From the condemnation of aggression against our countries to the adoption of European policies on migration. Together we fought and contributed to the creation of the Recovery Fund. Together we managed and succeeded in making Greece and Cyprus, Cyprus and Greece, protagonists of a new energy map that is now taking shape.
The next European Council will focus on critical issues for both Greece and Cyprus, the economy and the long-term competitiveness of Europe, the preservation of the single market and the promotion of the green and digital transition.
So your presence at the European Council is off to a dynamic start. On the challenge of migration, an issue that has been of great concern to both of us, we will continue to jointly advocate our positions in order to safeguard the interests of frontline Member States like Greece and Cyprus. Of primary importance in this effort is the protection of our borders, which, as we all know, are also the external borders of the EU, always respecting international law and human rights.
Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, after a long period of unacceptable provocations and aggressive behaviour, we are experiencing today, following the deadly earthquakes that humanly brought the two peoples closer together, a de-escalation and more positive behaviour. We have responded to this attitude, as we will always respond to anything aimed at reducing tension and dialogue. I would like to hope that such an improvement can have an impact on the Cyprus problem.
Besides, international legitimacy cannot tolerate, in the 21st century, neither an occupying army in Cyprus nor the outdated system of guarantees and the rights of third parties to intervene in its affairs. On the contrary, it is now time for the European acquis to be extended to the whole island. In the framework of a reunified bizonal bicommunal federation to which we agree.
And although Turkish intransigence has so far hindered every step, your experience as Foreign Minister makes me more optimistic. And this optimism becomes hope, knowing your strong will, which you expressed from the first moment the Cypriot people put their trust in you, to restart the relevant dialogue on the Cyprus problem and, indeed, with a more dynamic European involvement, which our country will obviously support and claim.
So we are starting a new page of cooperation and coordination. The new challenges for maintaining peace, security and stability in our neighbourhood and particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean region require vigilance and cooperation with all our partners and allies.
And I believe that a first very positive expression of this new beginning is the establishment of the High Cooperation Council between our two countries, a process of organized intergovernmental dialogue that probably should have taken place some time ago. But we are announcing it today and I believe that at its first meeting, we will be able to discuss many issues of common interest, such as energy, shipping and environmental protection, and set common goals and timetables with concrete milestones on how cooperation between the countries can become even closer.
So we continue on our common path. With Athens always on the side of Nicosia, but also with me on your side, my friend Nikos."
For his part, President Christodoulides said "Prime Minister, my dear Kyriakos, I would like to thank you for the warm hospitality and the very constructive discussion we had. I would like to express once again my condolences for the unspeakable tragedy in Tempi, to the families of the victims, the majority of whom were young people, including two Cypriots. Cyprus stands with Greece and mourns with it.
The semiotics of the first visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus to Greece is extremely important and sends a clear message about the level of our relations and the brotherly ties between the two countries.
My first visit as President of the Republic of Cyprus to Greece is, however, not only of symbolic importance. It is particularly significant, given the common challenges we face, as well as our common aspirations both at bilateral and regional level and within our common European family. And all this is reflected in our very constructive discussion today.
Today we had the opportunity to discuss the Cyprus problem, where, among other things, I briefed the Prime Minister in detail on the need for more active involvement of the European Union in the effort to break the deadlock on the Cyprus problem and resume the talks.
We know very well that the facts are not easy, we know the difficulties, but at the same time, we strongly believe that the current state of affairs cannot be the solution to the Cyprus problem. Cyprus cannot remain divided and under occupation.
We also exchanged views on our bilateral relations, which are excellent, but there is always room for improvement. In this context, as the Prime Minister has already mentioned, we agreed to establish an institutionalized body of intergovernmental cooperation which will provide for joint meetings of the Councils of Ministers of Greece and Cyprus in the presence of both of us, at regular intervals. I consider this decision to be particularly important, a decision that should have been taken years ago.
Regional issues and in particular developments in our neighbourhood were also an important part of our discussions today. There are many challenges in our region, but also many opportunities. Our focus is on managing the challenges appropriately as well as making the most of the opportunities that exist. In this context, we also discussed our joint regional actions that demonstrate in practice the efforts of Cyprus and Greece to be pillars of security and stability in the region.
Part of our discussion was the immediate and moving response of the Governments and ordinary people in Greece and Cyprus to the pain and destruction caused by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. I feel that this shows us, once again, that in essence, the goal of all must be peaceful coexistence in conditions of prosperity and security and away from warlike rhetoric and threats outside the framework of international legitimacy.
Finally, we discussed issues concerning the European Union and our forthcoming joint participation in the European Council in March, where an important number of issues affecting our countries will be discussed, such as the war in Ukraine, energy issues and migration, as well as the implementation of the decision taken to draw up an EU action plan for the Eastern Mediterranean migration route. We also referred to the fact that both the Prime Minister and I belong to the extended family of the European People's Party and the importance of this in the realisation of our common goals.
In closing, I would like to express my pleasure to be in Greece today, to thank the Prime Minister once again for his hospitality, while assuring that the cooperation between Cyprus and Greece will not only continue, as before, to be very close, sincere, direct and effective, but it will be even stronger and even more effective."
(PM/MB/MB/SX)
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