|
The
President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, participated, last night,
in the deliberations of the Euro-Atlantic working dinner hosted in Madrid by
the Prime Minister of Spain, Mr Pedro Sánchez.
President
Anastasiades had the opportunity to speak with a number of leaders of the EU
and NATO countries, both on the sidelines and during the dinner. Among
others, he exchanged views with the Greek Prime Minister, Mr Kyriakos
Mitsotakis, the French President, Mr Emmanuel Macron, the British Prime
Minister, Mr Boris Johnson, the Italian Prime Minister, Mr Mario Draghi, the
Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Justin Trudeau, the Austrian Chancellor Karl
Nehammer and the US President, Mr Joe Biden.
The
President also spoke with his Turkish counterpart, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,
with whom he exchanged views, mainly on the Cyprus problem.
President
Anastasiades declared to the President of Turkey his readiness to resume
negotiations for a settlement of the Cyprus problem, under the auspices of
the UN, and reiterated that he is always ready to enter into talks with the
aim of resolving a longstanding problem, the solution of which will be
beneficial for Cyprus and all Cypriots, as well as for stability and security
in the Eastern Mediterranean, for the Greek-Turkish relations and for the
EU-Turkey relations.
In
his speech during the working dinner, before the 36 Heads of State and
Government from EU and NATO Member States, the President of the European
Council, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary-General
of NATO, the President of the Republic initially referred to the need to
strengthen cooperation between the EU and NATO in order to address the great
challenges of our times, and most significantly, the consequences of the
Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has brought about major changes, not only
in aspects of traditional security, but also in areas such as food security,
energy security, migration and hybrid threats.
Of
course, he added, the EU-NATO cooperation should always be based on respect
of the autonomy of the two organizations in their decision-making processes,
on one hand, and on the other hand, on respect of international law.
President
Anastasiades pointed out, in his intervention, four points that should be
prioritized; that is: (a) the strengthening of EU’s autonomous defence
capabilities, so that it can help deal with crisis situations in Europe, but
also internationally, always in abidance with and cooperation with allies,
such as NATO or other countries with which the EU shares common interests and
values, (b) the commitment to zero tolerance, either towards violations of
international law or revisionist policies, (c) the solution of existing
problems which threaten the coherence of the two organizations, on the basis
of mutual respect and solidarity, and (d) the implementation by all countries
of the sanctions imposed against Russia, in order to render them more
effective.
Referring
to the Cyprus problem which he described as an “open wound”, the President of
the Republic stressed that, as long as it perpetuates, it will continue to
pose a threat to peace, security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean,
but also to Europe in general.
He
reiterated that his aim remains the end of the division in Cyprus and the
achievement of a functional and sustainable settlement based on the
resolutions of the Security Council and the provisions of international law.
Finally,
President Anastasiades underlined his commitment to the effort to create
conditions that will allow the resumption of negotiations, from the point
where they were interrupted, aiming at reaching a comprehensive settlement of
the Cyprus problem. A goal that will be possible provided that all
stakeholders decide that it is finally time for an agreement that will lead
to a normal state, which will benefit all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus,
Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
(EK/MK)
|
