The Speaker of the House of Representatives Ms Anita Demetriou received today the Chargé d'Affaires of the Holy See in Cyprus, Msgr. George Panamthundil.
The representative of the Holy See expressed his thanks to the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the cordial reception of Pope Francis on her behalf during his official visit to Cyprus last December, referring to the relevant letter of the Pontiff to Ms Demetriou.
Referring to the current developments regarding the Cyprus problem, the Speaker of the House of Representatives stressed that the primary goal of the Greek Cypriot side is the reunification of our country in conditions of peace, security and prosperity, for the benefit of all the Cypriot people, especially our young people. We look forward to the resumption of the talks as soon as possible, from the point where they were interrupted, in order to reach a just and viable solution, in accordance with international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The Turkish side's dichotomous claims will never be proven, she stressed. The unacceptable Turkish provocations, Ms Demetriou pointed out, are taking us away from the goal of reunification and the ongoing division is a blow to the entire Cypriot society, including the Maronites and Latins religious groups, who are facing increased difficulties as a result of the ongoing Turkish occupation.
Msgr. Panamthundil reaffirmed the Holy See's support to the efforts for a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem. He also briefed the President of the House on the integration procedures of the fifty asylum seekers who were relocated, by decision of the Pontiff, from Cyprus to Italy and there was an exchange of views on this issue, with particular emphasis on the need to show more solidarity between states and full respect for human rights. Msgr. Panamthundil also noted that the granting of state land for the construction of an embassy of the Holy See in Cyprus will contribute greatly to the strengthening of relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Cyprus.
Mrs Demetriou stressed her and the House of Representatives' readiness to support the work of the Holy See in Cyprus in every possible way and to take initiatives, where necessary, in this direction.
(NΓ/IK)
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