The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Anita Demetriou, received today the new US Ambassador to Cyprus, Mrs. Julie Fisher, on the occasion of her assumption of office.
During the meeting, the excellent level of bilateral relations and the upgrading of cooperation between Cyprus and the United States in key areas of mutual interest were noted and the common will to further strengthen them, especially at the inter-parliamentary level, through the promotion of contacts and exchanges was stressed.
The Speaker expressed appreciation for the principled positions of the US regarding the Cyprus problem, which, as she pointed out, touches on the same violations of international law and human rights by Turkey, as a result of the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, as those committed in Ukraine by Russia. Ms Demetriou stressed that Cyprus had adopted a clear position from the outset on the basis of these very principles. Turkish claims for a "two-state solution", which would constitute a legitimisation of the Turkish invasion and occupation, will never be accepted, Ms Demetriou said.
The Greek Cypriot side, the Speaker stressed, remains firmly committed to the objective of resuming the talks from the point where they were interrupted, in order to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem, within the UN framework, on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, and the efforts of the President of the Republic will be supported in this direction. The achievement of a solution to the Cyprus problem that will reunite the country, Ms Demetriou noted, will be a model and will contribute to the prevalence of peace, security and economic stability and prosperity for the Cypriot people as a whole, as well as for the entire Eastern Mediterranean region. The Speaker also expressed concern about Turkey's instrumentalization of illegal immigrants, who are being funneled en masse through the occupied territories into the areas under the control of the Government of Cyprus.
Ms. Fisher expressed the appreciation of the United States for Cyprus' unequivocal principled stand on the Ukraine issue. At the same time, she reaffirmed the firm U.S. position in favor of a solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of the relevant United Nations resolutions and her country's commitment to support efforts to create the conditions that will lead to the resumption of talks towards a solution to the Cyprus problem. It also agreed to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and to take joint initiatives in this direction.
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