Cyprus President Addresses Greek Parliament for First Time in 16 Years

Speech by the President of the Republic of Cyprus successful the Greek Parliament. Credit: Hellenic Parliament

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides addressed the Greek Parliament connected Thursday, marking the archetypal sojourn by a Cypriot caput of authorities to the enclosure successful 16 years. He utilized the juncture to telephone for renewed efforts to reunify the divided land and to reaffirm the adjacent enslaved betwixt Cyprus and Greece.

The past specified code took spot successful 2010, erstwhile Cyprus commemorated 50 years of independence.

The Cypriot presidency called the infinitesimal historic, saying it confirmed the profoundly organization and strategical narration betwixt the 2 countries and their shared work toward determination and European challenges.

Standing earlier the Greek Parliament, the Cypriot president described Greece arsenic the island’s astir accordant and selfless ally. He said that some nations look Turkey’s continued assertive posture successful the portion together.

Cyprus President calls for reunification earlier the Greek Parliament

The Cyprus occupation was cardinal to his remarks. Turkey invaded and occupied the bluish 3rd of the land successful 1974. Christodoulides accused Ankara of bringing settlers into the occupied northbound to change its demographic makeup, calling the concern illegal.

His government, helium said, holds a mandate to prosecute reunification. He firmly rejected immoderate two-state arrangement, saying it is not thing his broadside would ever see oregon negotiate.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus is addressing the Greek Parliament. Credit: Hellenic Parliament

On the diplomatic front, Christodoulides said that the United Nations is expected to marque a caller effort to resoluteness the quality earlier Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ends his word astatine the adjacent of this year.

He said that his government’s enactment has helped gully renewed planetary attraction to the issue, contempt planetary absorption being absorbed by the conflicts successful Ukraine and the Middle East. He added that immoderate colony indispensable beryllium grounded successful the agreed UN framework, the negotiated acquis, and EU law.

Greece steps up with subject assistance aft drone strike

He thanked Greece for rapidly responding to Cyprus’ petition for subject reinforcement aft a drone struck the British basal astatine RAF Akrotiri. The response, helium said, showed the 2 countries are not acold apart.

He besides expressed gratitude for the Greek soldiers who died defending Cyprus during the 1974 invasion, saying their sacrifice placed them alongside celebrated figures from Greek history.

Left to right: President of the Hellenic Parliament, Cypriot President, Greek President. Credit: Hellenic Parliament

Christodoulides called Cyprus’ introduction into the European Union successful 2004 the top diplomatic accomplishment since independence.

He noted the country’s existent economical maturation complaint of 3 percent is the highest successful the EU. He said that Cyprus and Greece are moving unneurotic toward advancement and security, expressing assurance that amended days prevarication up for some nations.

The Cypriot presidency confirmed the president was to instrumentality to Nicosia connected Thursday evening.