Mr President. Dear Nicos. Ladies and gentlemen. Here I am once again in Cyprus, enjoying the warm hospitality of Nicosia. We would have had many more meetings in person had there not been for the pandemic. I can assure you though that our phone conversations -that practically take place on a weekly basis- can substitute these meetings. As you know -and as the President has mentioned- my visit today takes place in a sensitive conjuncture for the future of the Cyprus issue.
I once again reassured President Anastasiades that the end of the Turkish occupation and a comprehensive, viable, functional and mutually acceptable solution remains a top priority for Greek foreign policy. This is a national issue. This is a necessary act of compliance with international law. This is an act of justice towards the people of Cyprus.
In Athens, as well as in Nicosia, we remain committed to the decisions of the United Nations. After all, these decisions constitute the agreed upon and universally binding framework for a solution -just as you correctly pointed out Dear Nicos. At the same time, they are the foundation for the implementation of the European acquis throughout Cypriot territory.
It bears mentioning that resolution 2561, recently passed by the UN Security Council, points out these same options, finds that the only viable solution is a bizonal, bicommunal federation with the known inviolable characteristics: political equality, as set out in the resolutions, a state with one international personality, sovereignty and citizenship. While also safeguarding the independence and territorial integrity for the Republic of Cyprus.
The same spirit is reflected in the negotiating acquis of the United Nations, as it was set out in the communique of the UN Secretary-General in Berlin, just recently, a few months ago, something already mentioned by the President. This is the precious outcome of a long-lasting, persistent negotiating effort that needs to be preserved by all means.
Unfortunately, the stance adopted by Turkey and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community is outside the framework of the United Nations, as it insists on the groundless two-state solution. This is rejected not only by Greece and Cyprus, but by the United Nations as well. It is also rejected, of course, by the European Union.
The Vice-President of the European Commission pointed out a few days ago that “those who talk about two states, failed to ask the European Union. Cyprus joined the EU as a single state”. Therefore, Ankara and Mr Tatar must know that resuming a meaningful dialogue is conceivable only within the current and binding limits, as described above. I fully concur with what you said, Mr President, that the solution needs to serve the interests of all Cypriots, both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, and not Turkey’s aims.
Abolishing the outdated system of guarantees and intervention rights in entirely Cypriot issues is our intractable common position. It goes without saying that the complete and fast withdrawal of occupying troops is a prerequisite for reunification. These positions define our stance in the negotiations that the Secretary-General of the United Nations seeks to resume.
We actively support his initiative. We will be present, in full coordination, in this informal pentalateral that we expect and hope that Mr Guteres will convene shortly. As you know, Greece is also present in exploratory talks with Turkey on the delimitation of maritime zones in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. We attend the talks -as I have repeatedly said- with an honest disposition, cautious optimism and zero naivety. Besides, this is yet another field that will test the consistency of Turkey’s behaviour. This will test whether Turkey’s words and deeds coincide and finally whether it does have the will to return to the path of international law.
I want to reiterate, here in Cyprus, that Greece has proved in action that good neighbourly relations and the respect for international law can lead to the resolution of long-lasting disputes. We achieved this when we signed the agreement for the delimitation of our Exclusive Economic Zone with Italy. We achieved this when we signed the agreement for the delimitation of our Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt, after decades of negotiations. So, when there is a will, disposition and a good and positive climate -which I sincerely hope will be maintained- dealing with problems of this nature is possible. The respect for international law always is the prerequisite.
As the President said, we discussed in detail issues pertaining to the Eastern Mediterranean. You know that after departing from Cyprus I will visit Israel, today, where I will have the chance to meet Mr Netanyahu, reaffirming the framework of our trilateral cooperation arrangements. These are peace schemes that do not exclude anyone in principle.
Of course we discussed with the President issues that are linked to the preparation for the next meetings of the European Council. As you know there is an extraordinary meeting that will take place on February 25 and 26 and of course the regular meeting that will take place towards the end of March. During those meetings we will discuss issues that pertain to the pandemic and how to tackle it. Besides, Greece and Cyprus have done much better than many other European countries, despite major difficulties.
We know that this is a constant race with time, with viruses that unfortunately mutate. And of course we have both insisted -and I want to stress that- at the European Council level on the need for Europe to get the vaccine doses agreed upon with pharmaceutical companies as soon as possible. Both Greece and Cyprus would have been ready to carry out many more vaccinations. We have the operational capacity to do so. The reason why we have not done so, is that we don’t have these vaccines at our disposal yet. Nevertheless, I am sure that this issue will be resolved within the upcoming months, so that we can strongly accelerate the vaccination process, so that we will be in a much better state in the summer.
Let me conclude by saying that we also discussed the vaccination certificate. How we will make it easier for Europeans -and not just them- for travelers from all over the world who wish to visit Greece and Cyprus. Having the vaccination certificate as proof -this is what we ask, what I ask from the European Union, this process that will be standardized and simple- so that we can thus facilitate the return to a basic normality as far as tourism is concerned this summer, given that both Cyprus and Greece highly depend on it.
Allow me to finish by citing a very important book, by the diplomat and author Nicos Kranidiotis, father of the unforgettable Yannos: “Cyprus is not -I say again- a state with no fortifications.” It has the whole of Hellenism by its side, but also the European Union and the international community. With these forces, with these alliances it will walk the path for its rights, until this Island, dear Nicos, becomes again an isle of peace, stability and prosperity for all its citizens.
I thank you οnce again for your warm hospitality.
