Foreign Minister Kombos says that Nicosia will never accept a two-state solution

Greece on Thursday reiterated its “unequivocal support” to efforts for a just and viable settlement to the Cyprus problem, while Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos stressed that Nicosia will never accept a two-state solution as floated by the Turkish side.

“We shall never agree to a solution that promotes partition or a two-state solution,” Kombos said during a joint news conference with his Greek counterpart Nicos Dendias in Athens.

It was Kombos’ first official visit to Greece since taking office.

Cyprus’ top diplomat expressed the hope that initiatives undertaken in the near future, in coordination with close ally Greece, would “create the conditions for the resumption of talks.”

In this respect, the contribution of the EU would prove crucial, he added.

“Unfortunately, the [Turkish] illegality in the fenced-off area of Varosha continues. We remain vigilant, and we stress that anything other than the handover of Varosha to UN administration is a violation of international legitimacy.”

Turkey’s illegal actions in opening up part of Varosha were in addition to its unlawful activities inside Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.

For his part, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said Athens considers the Cyprus issue “a matter of top priority for Greece’s foreign policy.”

He noted that Greece will continue to support Cyprus in averting new facts on the ground.

Greater engagement from the EU and the United States would be sought.

The talks between the two ministers focused on bilateral relations, as well as regional developments.

“The eastern Mediterranean is emerging into a region with a vital role in environmental protection as well as in the drive for the EU to attain energy independence. Greece and Cyprus can play a decisive role in this direction,” Dendias noted.