Lasting peace in Palestine can only be achieved through the two-state solution in line with the UN Security Council resolutions, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Wednesday during his visit to the Palestinian Embassy in Nicosia, which organised a symbolic event on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Palmas noted that ‘Cyprus is a member state of the European Union, it is the only state located in the Eastern Mediterranean’, adding that ‘we are particularly interested in ensuring peace and tranquility in the region’.
“We are one of the first states that recognised the Palestinian state in 1988, within the framework of United Nations resolutions, we support this line and we believe that through this direction peace can be ensured in the region, which has been in turmoil for 3 years,” he pointed out.
In the message he wrote in the guest book opened by the Embassy of Palestine, the Minister of Defence noted that ‘on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, Cyprus reaffirms its commitment to peace, prosperity and stability in our shared region. As one of the first States that has recognised the State of Palestine since 1988, shortly after its declaration, Cyprus has upheld consistently the principles of international law and the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people,’ he pointed out.
‘Our position is clear and unwavering that lasting peace can only be achieved through the two-state solution as reflected in the UNSC Resolutions,’ Vasilis Palmas wrote in his message. In this context, he continued, ‘it is our belief that a sovereign and contiguous Palestinian State with Gaza and West Bank united as integral parts of it, and with East Jerusalem as its capital, will undeniably benefit not only the Palestinian people, but will also foster enduring conditions of security and dignity for the region as a whole.’
‘Cyprus as the closest EU Member State, which will be soon assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU, reiterates that it will continue actively supporting the stabilization efforts of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, including the humanitarian field and diplomatic initiatives towards this,’ he concluded.