Norway’s decision announced yesterday to lift the arms embargo against the Republic of Cyprus is also relevant to the EU’s SAFE program, President Christodoulides said Saturday, on the sidelines of a cultural conference taking place in the coastal city of Agia Napa.
He spoke of a particularly positive development, adding that yesterday he received a phone call by the Norwegian Foreign Minister who informed him of the decision.
“I consider it a particularly positive development, taking into account that as the Republic of Cyprus we attempted in the past to purchase military equipment from Norway, something that was not permitted precisely because of this decision which was in place since 1959”, he said.
He added that he considers this development to be related to the decisions of the European Union regarding SAFE as well as Cyprus’ decision to utilize the resources available from the European Union.
The President also said that it comes as a recognition of Cyprus’ role in the region as a predictable and reliable partner.
In response to a question about 3+1 scheme on energy matters, President Christodoulides said that one of our main goals is to align our interests not only with neighboring states, but also with powerful actors in the international arena such as the US.
He went on to say that energy sector is one sector in which we cooperate closely, a sector that is also a key pillar of our foreign policy.
He added that in this direction in the coming weeks there will be new developments to be announced.
The President said that the goal is to utilize the energy sector to address an internal challenge we have in relation to electricity, but also to utilize it as a factor that will bring the states of the region together.
He spoke of a particularly important dimension adding that the development of the Eastern Mediterranean as an alternative energy corridor for Europe is significant.
Replying to another question about the developments yesterday announced by the occupation regime in relation to the five Greek Cypriots illegally arrested last July, the President said that we are still waiting for their release.
He reiterated that many actions are being taken, but are not made public because our goal, especially at this stage, is for our compatriots to be set free.
A ‘military court’ in Turkish occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus has acquitted on Friday the five Greek Cypriots who were facing ‘charges’ of illegal entry and violation of a military zone.
The Republic of Cyprus had strongly condemned the detentions as unlawful and provocative.
Two of the five G/C are still facing charges in a ‘district court’ on alleged violations of personal data and privacy laws.
It is further noted that the European Parliament passed in September a resolution condemning the illegal detention of five Greek Cypriot citizens by Turkish occupation authorities.