“The Cyprus issue is the highest national priority, the highest priority of Greece’s foreign policy,” said Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in his joint statements with the new Foreign Minister of Cyprus, Konstantinos Kobos, during his first foreign visit. after taking office.

“We continue to support unequivocally the achievement of a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions, a solution that is a bi-communal, bi-zone federation, compatible with European law. “, said Mr. Dendias.

During the meeting, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs noted, efforts to prevent the emergence of a false state at the international level were discussed.

“Greece will continue to support the Republic of Cyprus in its efforts to avoid new crimes,” said Mr. Dendias, adding that “with regard to the status of the Varoans, the relevant decisions of the Security Council are clear.”

“The main parameter for finding a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus issue is Turkey’s position,” he stressed.

Unfortunately, as the minister mentioned, “Today’s meeting is taking place at a time when Greece and Hellenism are mourning the tragic train derailment at Tempi”, while recalling that two Cypriot students were among the victims.

Mr. Dendias thanked his colleagues from all countries who showed their solidarity from the first moment.

“Steps such as the declaration of national mourning by the governments of Albania and Cyprus touch us deeply,” he stressed.

Referring to Turkey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that “it is experiencing a humanitarian tragedy” and noted that Greece has sincerely rushed to help Turkey, while it has been sending and continues to send humanitarian aid.

After all, together with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, as the first European Minister of Foreign Affairs, he visited the affected areas, where EMAK units were already operating.

“Senior Turkish officials have publicly expressed their gratitude to the Greek government and the Greek people for our practical solidarity and the sentiments we have expressed,” he said, adding:

“For my part, I want to acknowledge that Turkey, as soon as it became known about the tragic incident in Tempi, sent appropriate messages of support. The Turkish Foreign Minister was my first colleague, he called me to express his condolences,” Mr. Dendias said.

“The tragic events in Greece and Turkey have united our two societies, they have created a climate between us,” he stressed.

“It is too early to draw safe conclusions if this climate continues at the political level. But I believe that we should use it to normalize Greek-Turkish relations, which will also have a positive impact on efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue,” he continued.

“Greece firmly stands for a dialogue based on the UN Charter, respect for international law and international law of the sea, condemnation of the threat or use of force,” he stressed.

“Revisionism and expansionism must be defeated. International law and the inviolability of borders must be respected,” Mr. Dendias concluded.

“Greece has always been our support” in efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Konstantinos Kombos, noted for his part, stressing that the “common vision” of both countries is the reunification of Cyprus.

Mr. Kombos began his remarks by referring to the tragic incident at Tempi and stressed that his visit “is passing under a heavy veil of mourning over the untimely death of so many of our brethren, including the Cypriots”.

Speaking about the Cyprus problem, he characteristically emphasized that “we will never accept dichotomous or two-state solutions in Cyprus or other similar and creative approaches of the same logic.”

“The goal is to resolve the Cyprus problem always within the agreed framework of the UN on the basis of a bi-zone, bi-communal federation with political equality and on the basis of the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council,” he said.

“We hope that, thanks to the initiatives that will be taken in the next period, the conditions will be created that will allow the resumption of negotiations,” he said, adding characteristically that the contribution of the EU is especially important in this context.

But, he pointed out, “lawlessness in the closed territory of Varozia continues. Ankara is moving to another level, creating new achievements.”

“We always remain vigilant and emphasize that any other development of events, except for the transfer of the Varosyans under UN control, is a violation of international legality,” he said.

“The fact that we stand firmly by each other’s side multiplies our ability to be a safe haven in our region,” said Mr Kombos.

He also stressed that “an automatic and multi-level mechanism for coordination and consultations at the bilateral, regional and international levels has been developed between Greece and Cyprus.”

He stated that Greece and Cyprus are pillars of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region, leading the development of multilateral forms of cooperation, as they “act as a bridge between the countries of the region and the EU.”

“We are working to further develop and deepen these relations to help turn the Eastern Mediterranean into an area of ​​peace, stability and cooperation,” he said. “We want to be the catalyst for this effort together.”

He stressed that “such a vision is not in line with threatening positions such as Turkey.”

The common element of both countries is the adherence to international law and European principles and values.

The Cypriot Foreign Minister also referred to the common approach of the two countries towards Ukraine and noted that a year after Russia’s illegal and ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the EU continues to support the government of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in practice.

“The European expression of solidarity and support is passing through the divided Cyprus,” he noted characteristically.

“Our position is clear, we condemn the Russian invasion, we reject any action that violates international law, we support the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” he concluded.

Source: RES-IPE