The President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Annita Demetriou, and the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, discussed on Tuesday, developments on the Cyprus issue and European matters, during a meeting held in Athens, with Demetriou highlighting the importance of Greece and Cyprus moving forward in close coordination to address the region’s complex challenges.
Mitsotakis congratulated Demetriou for her reelection. He also congratulated the Republic of Cyprus on what he described as its highly successful Presidency of the Council of the European Union. He added that at the most recent European Council it was clear that a tremendous effort had been made to conclude highly complex dossiers, and that there was unanimous recognition of Cyprus’ work.
The Greek Prime Minister said that Demetriou’s visit comes at a critical juncture, as there is once again meaningful momentum on the Cyprus issue. He stressed that it is the duty of both countries to remain fully coordinated.
For her part, Demetriou noted that parliaments have a vital role to play, both through parliamentary diplomacy and through stronger cooperation between parliamentary committees, particularly on issues affecting the interests of both countries, such as defence, security, and the European dimension.
“Greece has been, is, and will remain our strongest fraternal ally, one we greatly need,” Demetriou said. She also noted that the House of Representatives will pursue its own priorities, always in cooperation with the Hellenic Parliament.
Regarding possible developments on the Cyprus issue, Demetriou said that current efforts are focused on maintaining momentum in the Cyprus talks, as well as addressing the issues and challenges that Europe is called upon to manage.
“We hope that this momentum will lead to genuine progress on the Cyprus issue. This is precisely where we want to discuss the European Union-Turkey dimension, as well as the other challenges unfolding in the region,” she concluded.
Later, speaking to reporters, Demetriou described the meeting as “very important.”
“Today is also a symbolic day. It is the last day of the Cypriot Presidency. I believe this undertaking has been a success,” she said. She also highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, noting that strengthening ties between the parliaments of Greece and Cyprus could further reinforce the strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Asked about developments regarding EU-Turkey relations and the Cyprus issue, she said that she and the Greek Prime Minister had exchanged views and shared a common understanding of the diplomatic initiatives that need to be undertaken.
“We are fully aligned regarding the political and diplomatic steps that must be taken,” she said, adding that Greece and Cyprus take into account the interconnection between Greek-Turkish relations and EU-Turkey relations, particularly in preparation for the convening of a new informal five-party meeting on the Cyprus issue.
Demetriou concluded by stressing that the objective remains achieving meaningful progress, underlining the need for coordinated efforts by Athens and Nicosia to move the process forward.
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 due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
After informal meetings in 2025, followed by a hiatus of several months, deliberations are underway for a new meeting in broader format to be held, as the term of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres nears its end. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.