“The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Today we have confirmed this phrase from Aristotle,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday during joint statements with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Athens. The two leaders held a joint press conference after chairing the first Greece-Cyprus High-Level Cooperation Council at the Maximos Palace.
Mitsotakis stressed that the meeting strengthened the already inseparable ties between the two countries, strengthening the roles of Greece and Cyprus as pillars of security in the turbulent Eastern Mediterranean region.
“This camaraderie is also reflected in the joint communiqué on the Cyprus issue, which is a national priority,” Mitsotakis said, emphasizing the need for a resumption of talks within the framework of the United Nations.
“The position calling for two states is completely unacceptable to us. We look forward to the immediate appointment of a new UN envoy,” the Greek Prime Minister stressed, adding that Greece will continue to support efforts to put an end to machinations that violate UN Security Council resolutions. ‘UN. He also noted that the European Union must have a role in the negotiations, in line with the conclusions of the European Council of June 30.
The Prime Minister said Greece would continue its efforts to improve relations with Turkey, stressing that progress in this area would also benefit the Cyprus problem.
Thanks for reading Hellenic News of America
He then highlighted progress in terms of economic growth “always with a desire for reforms” and said that there were many areas in which the two parties could exchange know-how and experiences, particularly in the areas of civil protection. and maritime transport.
Referring to developments in the Middle East, Mitsotakis said he and Christodoulides had expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza at the Paris conference. “Greece and Cyprus support Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law and humanitarian law. We distinguish between the terrorist organization Hamas and the Palestinian people and their leaders. Athens and Nicosia are in favor of the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages. Our priority is to provide assistance through humanitarian pauses and assistance corridors to help civilians in Gaza,” said the Greek Prime Minister.
He also congratulated the Cypriot president for the initiative to establish maritime corridors to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, saying that this initiative had been “studied very carefully” and that the Greek government intended to participate in it. actively until the various technical difficulties are resolved.
“We do not forget that the final solution in the Middle East can only be political, lasting, a two-state solution in accordance with international law,” he said.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
