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- Ελληνικά
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Anita Demetriou received today the Foreign Minister of the Philippines, Mr. Enrique A. Manalo, on an official visit to Cyprus. Mr. Manalo was accompanied by Mr. Eduardo Jose De Vega, the Philippine Ambassador to Cyprus Mr. Giovanni E. Palec and senior officials
During the meeting, the very good relations between Cyprus and the Philippines and the common will to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in areas of common interest were underlined. In this regard, the special connection between the two countries through the significant community of Filipinos living and working in Cyprus was noted. Special reference was made to the wide scope for further upgrading the inter-parliamentary dialogue and the added value of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing common challenges.
The Speaker expressed her gratitude for the principled position and support of the Philippines with regard to the Cyprus problem and its resolution efforts. Demetriou reaffirmed our side's commitment to the objective of resuming talks towards a just and viable solution on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation in accordance with the relevant UN Resolutions. He underlined that fifty years after the Turkish invasion, Turkey continues to violate human rights in Cyprus and deplored the intensifying Turkish provocations within the buffer zone and in Famagusta. Manalo reaffirmed the principled position of the Philippines on the Cyprus problem, stressing his country's firm commitment to international law as the only possible avenue for achieving peace and protecting smaller states against powerful neighbors. He welcomed his first visit to Cyprus, during which, he said, he noted a convergence of positions between the two countries on a number of issues on the basis of common principles.
During the meeting, views were also exchanged on issues of wider interest, with specific reference to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the flare-up in the Middle East, as well as the multifaceted effects of climate change, and the need for more solidarity and multilevel cooperation to collectively address all challenges was stressed.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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