The Foreign Ministers of Cyprus, Greece and Jordan have been tasked with sustaining the momentum of the trilateral cooperation and accelerating its pace, Cyprus’ Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos said during a joint press conference with his other two counterparts in Amman, following the Trilateral Summit held there on Wednesday.
‘We are tasked with sustaining this momentum and accelerating its pace, affirming that the trilateral partnership gains increasing importance amid current challenges’, he said, adding that this format ‘can serve as a positive regional platform with a clear European dimension, with tangible results, related, among other things, to the Pact for the Mediterranean, in relation to which both of our countries, Cyprus and Greece, support the effective inclusion of Jordan’.
Kombos noted that the three countries discussed cooperation in crises management, thanking Greece and Jordan for their invaluable support last year, in dealing with wildfires.
‘Our partnership works because it is built on a solid and clear foundation, with historical depth, and is not opportunistic,’ he said, adding that the steppings tone of the cooperation is the full commitment and respect for international law and the use of meaningful dialogue as a means towards sustained de-escalation.
‘The security of our region is closely interconnected with the security of the states that make up this region and share the values of the UN chart,’ Kombos stated, expressing Cyprus’ solidarity with Jordan and the Gulf states in confronting the unjustified attacks that targeted them.
As regards the Strait of Hormuz, Kombos said that ‘we all agree on the importance of insuring the freedom of maritime navigation, the repercussions of that not being the case are going to be enormous and extremely negative. The only answer is safe passage, and this is part of the core principles of international law.’
On Gaza and the West Bank, he noted that the situation remains extremely fragile, and stressed the need to move quickly to the second phase of the stabilization efforts. He reiterated Cyprus’ full endorsement of the two-state solution, in line with the UN Security Council Resolutions. ‘This is the only path towards a political horizon. The Republic of Cyprus has been supportive of the self-determination of the Palestinian people and has recognized the Palestinian State since 1988,’ he said.
As regards the situation in Lebanon, he noted that the three countries are in full agreement. ‘We need to fully support the independence, sovereignty and total integrity of Lebanon. This is a critical time for Lebanon and has consequences for the whole region.’
On Syria, Kombos said that they all underscore the importance of predictable, good neighbourly relations that are grounded in international law, including the law of the Sea. ‘The rights and security of all Syrians, irrespectively of religious or ethnic background must be safe-guarded,’ he said.
Cyprus’ Foreign Minister also mentioned that the latest developments as regards the Cyprus issue were discussed. ‘I want to publicly reaffirm, once again, our full commitment to a solution to the problem in accordance exclusively with the relevant UNSC Resolutions, providing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation,’ he noted.
On his part, the Foreign Minister of Greece, George Gerapetritis, said that the fifth trilateral meeting takes place at a critical juncture for the neighbourhood and the world, and demonstrates the enduring strength of the partnership as an anchor of peace, stability, and prosperity in the broader region.
‘This partnership rests on our shared understanding of the challenges facing our region and our shared vision for a region free from war, aggression, rivalry, and dispute. At the same time, we are guided by common values and principles, by unwavering respect for international law, and full commitment to the fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,’ he noted.
He added that the three Ministers exchanged views on regional and international issues, focusing on developments in the broader Middle East, particularly the war in Iran, the situation in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank.
‘We will continue to work closely together in pursuit of a shared vision for a secure, stable, and prosperous neighborhood, proving that meaningful cooperation is not only possible, but necessary amid the current international volatility,’ he said, adding that he looks forward to the next meeting in Athens.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Al-Safadi, stated in the joint press conference that the trilateral mechanism embodies the shared political will to enhance cooperation in a way that serves the interests of the Kingdom, Cyprus, and Greece, and contributes to bolstering security and stability in the region.
Al-Safadi explained that the summit featured extensive deliberations on ways to enhance trilateral cooperation in numerous fields, including water, energy, culture, education, tourism, and other vital sectors.
He added that the summit extensively discussed regional issues, foremost among them support to efforts aimed at ending the dangerous escalation the region is witnessing, and reaching a solution between the United States and Iran that ensures security and stability on foundations that address all causes of tension over the past decades. He affirmed that the summit condemned the attacks that targeted Jordan and the Gulf Arab states.
Finally, he said that the summit discussed efforts to stabilize Lebanon, the Palestinian issue, support for stability in Syria, and the Cyprus issue, in addition to regional and international topics of shared interest.
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. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.