Resolving the Cyprus issue is a prerequisite for stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, stressed Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, adding that Greece supports the resumption of dialogue on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and participated in the dialogue.
“We reject and will not accept a fait accompli in Cyprus,” he said, speaking in the Greek Parliament, adding that “I have an excellent relationship with President Christodoulides, a relationship of mutual trust and absolute honesty.”
Mitsotakis also referred to the electricity connection project between Cyprus, Greece and Israel known as GSI, pointing out that there is complete understanding on the critical issues regarding the GSI.
“I recommend that the Greek and Cypriot media, which are discovering problems, to keep a lower profile. We will not accept challenges based on imaginary scenarios.”
At the same time, the Greek Prime Minister said that Greece seeks agreement with all its neighbors in the Eastern Mediterranean. He announced that the Greek government intends to invite all coastal states to a joint forum where all their concerns will be examined. “Greece has nothing to fear from sitting at the table and defending its positions, always on the basis of maritime law.”
Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, the Greek Prime Minister questioned the reason why certain people criticize the policy of rapprochement with Turkey, posing the question on whether “we want tensions and storms?”. In this context, he reiterated that “Greece is calling for the threat of war from its neighbour to be lifted, insisting that the only difference is the delimitation of the EEZ and the continental shelf. Until we manage to have a substantive discussion on this outstanding issue, our country is moving forward with a plan and responsibility.”
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.