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- Ελληνικά
Our region cannot bear more instability, President of the Republic Nicos Christodoulides said today, noting that sustainable solutions to the problems must be found, since there are no frozen crises.
Addressing the proceedings of the International Conference on Peace held today in the new administrative capital of Cairo, Egypt, the President of the Republic, after praising the initiative of the President of Egypt in organizing the Conference and the role of the country in promoting peace and stability in the region, He said, among other things, that "Cyprus is participating in the Conference as a country in the region - the closest EU member state - whose security is directly affected by developments in the Middle East.
Cyprus is also present as a neighbouring country with excellent relations with all countries in the region, ready to contribute and help in every possible way to de-escalate the conflict and to facilitate the transfer of humanitarian aid.
The high-level representation at the Conference is indicative of the need to overcome the crisis and engage in dialogue in order to find viable solutions to the complex and recurring challenges facing the region.
To this end, Cyprus' approach, in relation to addressing the current crisis, is guided by the following:
1. Terrorism is a common threat to all countries and there is no excuse for it. We have therefore unequivocally condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas on 7 October.
2. The fact that Hamas does not represent all Palestinians or the Palestinian cause.
3. The right of self-determination must always be exercised in accordance with international law, including humanitarian law.
4. Need for permanent de-escalation.
5. The vital importance of protecting all civilians - targeting civilians and (civilian) infrastructure is unacceptable.
6. Ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. We fully recognize Egypt's critical role in this case as well. To this end, Cyprus stands ready to assist in every possible way.
7. The need for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
8. The recommitment to a viable two-state solution in accordance with the parameters set out in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. This may be the only viable solution to the problem. It is absolutely clear that we have no choice but to create the conditions for the resumption of a meaningful peace process."
The President of the Republic added that our region cannot afford to continue to face such crises, noting that what recent events, and not only recent events, have taught us is that there are no frozen crises.
He also pointed out that unless there is a just and viable political solution that addresses the root causes of the conflicts, there will be no end to the cycle of violence
He added that "the current crisis also poses a serious threat to national security that cannot be underestimated, particularly for the countries of our region", citing as an example countries receiving huge migratory flows and noting that the countries of the region will disproportionately bear the burden of this crisis.
The President of the Republic said that one should not expect that we will be able to deal with this burden on our own, as it is a matter of international peace and security and a challenge that must be handled collectively by the global security system.
In conclusion, the President said that the UN Secretary General, who participated in the Conference, should be given space to make a decisive contribution to peace in the Middle East and to contain the effects of the crisis, stressing that "our region cannot afford more instability. There is an urgent need for peace, stability and security".
PM/IS
(The original text of the speech in English is available here)
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