Cyprus’ House President, Annita Demetriou referred on Wednesday to the added value of the parliamentary diplomacy during a meeting with a group of prospective diplomats from the Diplomatic Academy of Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to a press release issued by the House of Representatives.
According to the press release, Demetriou received a group of prospective diplomats from the Diplomatic Academy of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Welcoming the group, the House President underlined the importance of foreign policy and diplomacy for every state, the press release said. ‘She made particular reference to the added value of parliamentary diplomacy, which, as she noted, operates in a supportive and complementary manner to the conduct of foreign policy by governments,” it added.
According to the press release, Demetriou noted that the House of Representatives maintains ‘significant international activity with a considerable number of parliaments and within the framework of international and regional parliamentary organisations, in support of the legitimate interests of the Republic of Cyprus and the development of mutually beneficial partnerships.’
The House President also made special reference to the close relations and cooperation with the Hellenic Parliament and to the joint initiatives and actions undertaken by the Presidents of the two legislatures at the bilateral, European and international levels, it is added.
Demetriou also briefed the group on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue, ’emphasising our side’s commitment to the resumption of substantive negotiations from the point at which they were interrupted at Crans-Montana, with the aim of achieving a settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions’.
She also referred to the constitutional system of the Republic of Cyprus ‘and the complexity of its Constitution, placing particular emphasis on the clear separation of powers, as well as the role and responsibilities of the House of Representatives,’ the press release said.
It is noted that the prospective attachés were accompanied by the Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus, Constantinos Kollias, the Director of the Diplomatic Academy, Ambassador Michalis Diamesis, the Director of the study programme, Ambassador Michalis Angelopoulos, and First Counsellor at the Embassy of Greece, Konstantinos Soulios.
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.