Cyprus stands by the Ukrainian people says House Speaker

Cyprus stands by the Ukrainian people, committed to international law, respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all states and for the fundamental European principles and values, House Speaker Annita Demetriou said on Thursday.

Speaking before the plenary, Demetriou said that Cyprus is fully in line with the decisions of the European Union, noting that what unfolds before our eyes is an untold tragedy in the heart of Europe, with scenes of chaos, pain and despair.

Demetriou said that nightmares of the two world wars and the horror are before us adding that Cyprus and its people can relate with the horror having gone through the 1974 Turkish invasion and continuous occupation.

House Speaker said that having double standards does not offer anything and does not assist in any way. She also recalled that the Cyprus Parliament passed a resolution on the Ukrainian crisis condemning Russia`s invasion and stressing the urgent need to end the bloodshed and return to dialogue, as the only possible way to de-escalate the crisis.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.