House president meets Finnish ambassador

House President Annita Demetriou on Wednesday discussed ways to further strengthening cooperation between Cyprus and Finland during a meeting Finnish Ambassador to Cyprus Harri Mäki-Reinikka.

According to a statement issued by the House, the very good relations between Cyprus and Finland were noted during the meeting, as well as the prospects for further strengthening bilateral cooperation in mutual interest areas. These include health and shipping, while a common will was expressed to promote more regular exchanges between the two Parliaments at various levels.

Referring to the current situation regarding the Cyprus problem, the House President expressed concern about the increasing Turkish provocations and illegal actions against the Republic of Cyprus. She focused on the negative developments in the enclosed area of Famagusta, which, as Demetriou said, undermine the efforts to resume talks towards the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of the country, in accordance with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

On his part, the Finnish ambassador reaffirmed Finland’s principled position and firm support for the resolution of the Cyprus problem based on international law. He noted that the relevant UN Security Council resolutions on the Famagusta issue are clear, while stressing that the integration of the European Union cannot be complete without the reunification of Cyprus.

Mäki-Reinikka also referred to the importance Finland attaches to the ongoing debate on the Future at the level of parliaments, based on the Joint Declaration of the World Summit of Parliamentary Committees of the Future held in Helsinki last October. On this issue Demetriou expressed her interest in the emerging global network of Parliamentary Committees for the Future and her intention to consider the possible participation of the House of Representatives in it.

Then, the Finnish Ambassador briefed Demetriou on current political developments in his country, following the recent parliamentary elections in Finland. There was also an exchange of views on issues of European and wider interest, the statement added.