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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Anita Demetriou, received today the Head of the Greek delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Mrs. Dora Bakoyannis, and members of the Greek delegation to the PACE, who are visiting Cyprus, following an invitation by the Speaker of the House. The delegation consists of Mr Euripides Stylianides, Mrs Maria Siregela, Mr Georgios Papandreou, Mr Ioannis Economou, Mr Georgios Stamatis, Mrs Anna Efthymiou, Mr Anastasios Hadjivassiliou, Mrs Nina Kasimatis, Mr Dimitrios Manzo and Mrs Liana Kanelli. Present at the meeting were the head of the Cypriot delegation to the CSE Mr. Nikos Tornaritis and the members Mr. George Loukaidis, Mrs. Christiana Erotokritou and Mr. Kostis Efstathiou.
Welcoming the Greek delegation, Mrs. Demetriou stressed the fraternal relations and the close cooperation between Greece and Cyprus and, by extension, the two Parliaments, in the international and European arena, in this case in the Council of Europe on issues of major importance to both countries, always in accordance with international law and in defence of their national interests. Demetriou noted in particular the excellent cooperation between the delegations of the two Parliaments to the CSCE and the convergence of positions on key issues of concern to the Organisation, as the guardian of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. He expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of the Greek MPs in promoting the rights of the Cypriot people in the context of the Assembly's work on individual aspects of the Cyprus problem, such as the Famagusta issue. The President of the House of Representatives highlighted the intensifying Turkish provocations and methodologies against the Republic of Cyprus within the buffer zone, stressing that there are no "frozen conflicts" and that the international community and in particular the European Union (EU) must show the same determination that it rightly demonstrated in the case of Ukraine and Cyprus, as well as against any violation of international law.
Referring to the situation in the Middle East, the President noted the contribution of Cyprus, as the closest EU Member State to the region, including the initiative to transport humanitarian aid by sea to Gaza. Demetriou highlighted the alarmingly increasing migratory pressures that Cyprus is facing, due to the flare-up in the Middle East, and stressed the need for the EU to understand that there must be solidarity and take immediate action to address the crisis.
Bakoyannis noted that the current visit to Cyprus of the Greek delegation to the CSTO reflects the close cooperation and cooperation between the Greek and Cypriot delegations, particularly with regard to the Cyprus problem, as well as other essential issues of concern to the Organization. This year, Bakoyannis said, we celebrate 50 years since the restoration of democracy in Greece, but we never forget the sad anniversary of 50 years since the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of the Republic of Cyprus, stressing that the Green Line is the shame of Europe.
Referring to the large flows of irregular migrants to Greece and the disproportionate migratory pressures that Cyprus is facing due to the situation in the Middle East, Ms Bakoyannis stressed that the EU must manage this major challenge collectively and more effectively.
Subsequently, there was an exchange of views on developments in the wider region, as well as on other issues of priority concern to the Council of Europe.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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