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- Ελληνικά
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Anita Demetriou, met today with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Mrs Patricia Scotland, as part of her first official visit to Cyprus. Mrs Scotland was accompanied by the Director of her Office, Mrs Deborah Jamieson Obe.
In welcoming Mrs Scotland, the Speaker of the House of Representatives noted the active participation of the House of Representatives in the activities and actions of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, on the basis of the principles and values of the Commonwealth, which, she said, are a compass in the extremely difficult times we are experiencing. Mrs Scotland praised Cyprus' dedication and commitment to the principles and values of the Commonwealth and the very substantial role our country plays in the Organisation. She made particular reference to Cyprus' contribution to the development of the Commonwealth Blue Charter and its initiative to host the First Ministerial Meeting on Oceans of the Commonwealth Member States on 18 and 19 April 2024.
Referring to the current developments regarding the Cyprus problem, the Speaker of the Parliament reaffirmed our side's commitment to the goal 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. He noted that the ongoing war in Ukraine and the flare-up in the Middle East, as well as the intensifying Turkish provocations against Cyprus, demonstrate that there are no "frozen conflicts". She underlined in this context the increasing migratory pressures that Cyprus, as a frontline country, is facing as a result of the situation in the Middle East.
Demetriou stressed the need for collective action and leadership to restore citizens' trust and sense of security in the institutions and to counter the rise of populism and extreme ideologies.
In this context, the important role of women political leaders for a more effective response to the current challenges and the need to protect women politicians from the disproportionate targeting they suffer in social media, with the dissemination of false news and hate speech against them, through concerted action to regulate this issue.
Finally, the importance of further strengthening cooperation between the Commonwealth and the parliamentary dimension of the Organisation was underlined and views were exchanged on the possibility of undertaking joint initiatives and actions in this direction.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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