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Joint
Communique of the 1st Cyprus-Greece Intergovernmental Summit |
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On 9th and 10th
November 2023, the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Kyriakos
Mitsotakis, and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos
Christodoulides, co-chaired the 1st Intergovernmental Summit
between the two countries, on the basis of the relevant decision taken during
previous meetings of the two leaders this year. The 1st Intergovernmental Session was attended by the Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the two countries responsible for Foreign Policy, Defence, Education, Health, Energy, Citizen Protection, Culture, Immigration and Asylum, Shipping, Civil Protection and coordination of government work. The Prime Minister of Greece
and the President of the Republic of Cyprus confirmed that the establishment
of the Intergovernmental Summits, indicative of the inextricable tie between
the two countries, contributes to ensuring stability and prosperity in the
wider Eastern Mediterranean region. Furthermore, it provides an appropriate
framework for further strengthening bilateral cooperation between Greece and
Cyprus. The work of the
Intergovernmental Summit focused on the latest developments in the Cyprus
problem. The two leaders reaffirmed that there can be no solution to the
Cyprus problem without a complete withdrawal of Turkish occupying troops from
Cyprus. They stressed that the solution must be based on the UN Security
Council (UNSC) Resolutions. In this context, they expressed their expectation
for the appointment of a new UN Secretary-General's (UNSG) Envoy for Cyprus
to explore the prospects for the resumption of negotiations, always within
the framework of the relevant UNSC Resolutions. They reiterated, in this
context, the need to take initiatives to implement the European Council
Conclusions of 30 June 2023, with the objective of the EU playing an active
role at all stages of the process. They agreed on the need for significant
steps to be taken and goodwill to be shown on the part of Turkey in the
context of the Cyprus issue, in order to allow for any progress in the
Euro-Turkish issue. On sectoral issues and in
particular in the energy sector, the strategic importance of cooperation
between Greece and Cyprus was reaffirmed, aiming at energy sufficiency and
diversification at regional and European level, as well as the
interconnection of Europe with the Middle East and Asia, through the Eastern
Mediterranean. Emphasis was placed, inter alia, on the implementation of the
flagship EuroAsia Interconnector electricity interconnection project, which
was undertaken by the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) as the
Implementing Agency, on the support of the EastMed Pipeline project as well
as on Greece's forthcoming presidency of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum in
early 2024. In the field of Education, it
was decided to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in
the field of school and higher education. In this context, a revised
programme of cooperation in the field of Education will be signed before the
end of the year. The two countries will also encourage the development of
cooperation aimed at strengthening inter-religious dialogue, mutual respect
and the fight against intolerance and prejudice. On issues related to the Health
sector, the content of agreements concerning kidney transplants and the
allocation of organs in Greece for the transplantation of Cypriots in Greece
was discussed, with a view to signing them at a later stage. It was also decided
to strengthen cooperation in the field of medicines, the training of medical
specialists and the exchange of know-how and expertise on mental health
issues. In relation to Asylum and
Migration, cooperation was agreed to ensure the implementation of the recent
Eastern Mediterranean Action Plan prepared by the European Commission, as
well as to strengthen cooperation in the field of returns with a view to maximising
the benefits of the relevant return programmes for both countries. In the field of Civil
Protection and within the framework of existing conventions, it was decided
to plan joint actions in the field of prevention and response to natural
disasters, given the events that unfolded across southern Europe last summer. On Defence matters, our
commitment to strengthening the Common European Defence was reaffirmed. The
excellent level of cooperation between Ministries and Chiefs of Staff will be
further extended through the cooperation of the defence and security academies. In the Shipping sector, the
parties agreed to develop joint actions and initiatives for the promotion and
advancement of maritime education, the strengthening of cooperation and
exchange of know-how regarding the digitalisation of the services of two countries’
registries, as well as the creation of prospects for the sustainable
operation of the passenger maritime link Cyprus-Greece. Developments in the Middle East
were also discussed at the Intergovernmental Summit. The two countries
unequivocally condemned terrorism and recognised Israel's right to
self-defend, within the framework of international law, in particular with
regard to the protection of the civilian population. They noted that Hamas is a
terrorist organisation that does not represent the Palestinian people, who
are expressed institutionally through the Palestinian Authority. Greece and
Cyprus reiterated the need for the immediate release of the hostages without
any conditions or preconditions. They expressed their deep
concern about the situation in Gaza and the need for an immediate and
practical response to the humanitarian crisis. They also welcomed the Cypriot
initiative, to which Greece is ready to make a practical contribution, for
the creation of a defined and unhindered humanitarian aid sea corridor and
the protection of civilians. On other international issues,
in particular the situation in Ukraine, the two leaders reiterated their full
support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the
country. At the same time, they underlined the commitment of the two countries
to trilateral cooperation schemes as a means to promote security, peace and
prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean. In the field of Culture, they
discussed issues related to the forthcoming signing of a Memorandum of
Cooperation between the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus
and the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Hellenic Republic for the years
2024-2028. Τhe development of structured
cooperation and expertise in the framework of governmental coordination was
also discussed. Finally, it was agreed that the
next Intergovernmental Summit will take place in Cyprus in 2024, with a
jointly agreed agenda. (GS/EP) |
