In a particularly cordial atmosphere, testifying to the excellent relations between Athens and Nicosia, today’s meeting took place between the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis, who is making his last visit to Greece as part of the presidential elections in Cyprus next Sunday.

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou greeted President Anastasiadis at the entrance to the Presidential Palace, after which they entered her office, where they met in person.

Ms. Sakellaropoulou thanked N. Anastasiadis for the close cooperation over the years and assured him that “both in the past and in the future, the close cooperation between Greece and Cyprus has been and will be aimed at reaching an agreed solution within the framework of the decisions of the UN Security Council” .

He also stressed that “Turkey’s intransigence and aggression will not prevent us from strongly supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary General to find common ground for the resumption of negotiations.”

At the same time, he pointed out that “the joint diplomatic mobilization of our countries, Greece and Cyprus is consistently seeking decisive intervention by EU institutions to prevent the emergence of a pseudo-state using Turkish methods.”

Finally, he reiterated and reassured President Anastasiades that “the Cyprus issue is of constant concern and is the leading national issue in Greece’s foreign policy.”

For his part, the President of the Republic of Cyprus thanked her for the warm welcome and noted that his visit today was of a twofold nature.

“Firstly, with the completion of ten years as president, my presence in the government of the country also ends. I felt the need to express my gratitude to Cypriot Hellenism, as well as to myself personally, for the unfailing support I have received throughout my tenure from the respective Greek governments, as well as from the President of the Hellenic Republic,” he said.

He also added that “if Cypriot Hellenism survived, it was thanks to the support of the wider Hellenism, the Hellenic Republic, which stood aside at critical moments, both actively during the invasion and later diplomatically.” It is well known that thanks to the impeccable, close and methodical diplomatic efforts undertaken by the two countries, we have at least achieved the implementation of the United Nations resolutions that create a shield for the defense of the Republic of Cyprus.”

Continuing, he observed that “at the same time, joint efforts in the European Union create another dimension, initiatives that Europe must take to solve the European problem, so that any solution, in addition to being functional and therefore sustainable, is completely harmonized with the European acquis. So I once again express my deep gratitude.”

Speaking about the second reason for his visit, he emphasized: “I am here in gratitude to the Greek state, the brotherly Greek people, the foundation of social housing and a park in the area destroyed in July 2018 in Mati, where lives were lost that cannot be replaced, but, at least it was appreciated and felt that this would be a sign of love and solidarity, always mutually expressed, by the two states, the cession of the Republic of Cyprus the amount of 10 million euros in addition to private contributions, so that we can contribute to the efforts made by the Greek government to alleviate the pain caused by this catastrophe.”

He concluded by emphasizing: “I am sincerely glad to be with you. From March 1, I will be a simple private person, but I will not stop being a Greek fighter for peace, justice, social development.”

In response, K. Sakellaropoulou thanked Nikos Anastasiadis for the fact that, according to her, “the step taken by the Republic of Cyprus at one time for Mati was just one more proof of the solidarity and close connection of our two peoples, Greek and Cypriot Hellenism.”

Finally, he wished them to continue their meetings in his new capacity and wished health to him and his wife Andri.

Source: RES