Anastasiades and Erdogan exchanged views on the Cyprus issue

Source: Announcements

The President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Anastasiadis participated in the Euro-Atlantic working dinner hosted in Madrid on Wednesday night by the Prime Minister of Spain Mr. Pedro Sanchez.  It gave the President an opportunity to speak with a number of EU and NATO leaders about a number of topics relating to Cyprus, exchanging views with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, French President Emanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and US President Joe Biden.

Surprisingly, the President of the Republic also talked with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with whom he exchanged views, mainly on the Cyprus issue.

President Anastasiadis stated to the President of Turkey his readiness to resume the negotiations for the settlement of the Cyprus issue under the auspices of the UN and reiterated that he is always ready to enter into talks aimed at resolving a chronic problem, the resolution of which will be beneficial for Cyprus and all Cypriots, as well as for stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, for Greek-Turkish relations and for EU-Turkey relations.

In his address during the working dinner, Nicos Anastasiades stated the need to strengthen cooperation between the EU and NATO in order to meet the great challenges of our time, noting the salient 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.

While emphasizing the importance of mutual respect between the EU and NATO and their autonomy in their respective decision-making processes, President Anastasiades pointed out that a number of points that should be set as a priority, namely (a) the strengthening of the EU's autonomous defense capabilities, so that it can help deal with crises in Europe and worldwide, always in coherence and cooperation with allies, such as NATO or other countries with which the EU shares common interests and values; (b) resolving existing problems that threaten the cohesion of the two Organizations on the basis of mutual respect and solidarity; and (c) the implementation by all countries of the sanctions imposed on Russia in order to make 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 lasts, it will continue to be a threat to peace, security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe in general.

He reiterated that his aim remains the same, to end the division in Cyprus and to achieve a functioning and sustainable settlement on the basis of the Security Council resolutions and those provided for by international law.

Finally, President Anastasiadis underlined his commitment to the effort to create conditions that will allow the resumption of negotiations from the point where they were suspended with the aim of a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. A goal that will be achieved provided that all those involved decide that it is finally time for an agreement that will lead to a normal state, which will be to the benefit of all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike.