Turkish side’s demands hinder efforts for breakthrough, president tells new ambassadors 

Demands tabled by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot for the recognition of sovereign equality and of equal international status for the breakaway state hinder efforts to achieve a breakthrough, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Friday.

The Greek Cypriot side, however, maintains its “commitment and decisiveness to continue and to enhance our effort until Turkey is persuaded to change course and align with the agreed UN framework and the decisions of the European Union.”

Accepting Friday the credentials of the Ambassador of Israel, Oren Anolik, the president said that as regards the issue of Varosha, actions and provocations by Turkey are contrary to all UN Security Council resolutions and the Presidential Statements of July 23, 2021 and 9 October 9, 2020.

Anastasiades emphasised the excellent bilateral relations between Israel and Cyprus, which are bound by “our common democratic values and shared vision for a peaceful and stable Eastern Mediterranean.”

“This dynamic relationship between our two countries is also reflected by the number and frequency of visits at all levels, as well as the significant people-to-people contacts that have seen a marked increase in recent years,” he said.

The Israeli ambassador said relations between the two countries were close, friendly, and characterized by the desire and willingness to work together, as well as with other partners, for stability, security, and prosperity for our peoples and across the region.

“It is my intention to do my utmost to further enhance and solidify the partnership between the governments and peoples of Israel and Cyprus. I strongly believe in the great potential these relations have. Plenty has been achieved by now, but there is still an abundance of opportunities to be explored,” the Israeli ambassador said.

The president also received credentials from the new ambassadors of Germany, Romania, Austria, and Palestine.