Greek FM: current climate is challenging (updated)

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis visited Cyprus on Tuesday where he warned of “significant challenges” but also of major opportunities.

His first official visit abroad since taking office saw him meet President Nikos Christodoulides at the presidential palace in Nicosia.

Aside from the typically warm reception and exchange of words, Gerapetritis sought to emphasise that the current climate is heating up.

“We are indeed living in historic moments. The circumstances are quite challenging regionally and internationally, and the challenges are significant,” he warned.

Gerapetritis added that within the framework of the common goals in promoting shared interests, the two sides must ensure that the Cyprus problem is resolved in the fair and viable way “we all desire”.

That, he said, is clearly based on the relevant UN security council resolutions.

“The important goal is for Cyprus and the Cypriot people – Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots – to be liberated from the occupying Turkish army, the anachronistic system of guarantees and the rights of intervention of any party in Cyprus’ affairs,” he said.

The Greek minister added that a solution must be functional and give a reunified Republic of Cyprus the future it deserves – ensuring the unhindered implementation of the European acquis across the entire island.

The Greek minister then met Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, offering his country’s strong support for such a solution, emphasising that “we will not accept any fait accomplit in any way.

“Finding a just solution to the Cyprus problem is top national priority for Greece,” Gerapetritis added.

For his part, Christodoulides also focused his message on there being common goals and shared interests but also of the roles played by the two nations in the region.

“Greece and Cyprus are pillars of stability in the region,” the president said.

After the meeting, Kombos told reporters that “we emphasise that we will never accept solutions based on partition or other similar approaches”.

As for Greek-Turkish relations, Gerapetritis said Athens is ready to work on the current positive climate and to create the conditions needed to discuss the Law of the Sea between the two countries.

“We strongly support trilateral cooperation between Greece-Cyprus-Israel and with the participation of the US in the 3+1 mechanism,” he added. “Similarly, we are investing in the important trilateral cooperation scheme with Egypt and respectively with Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine.”

Finally, Gerapetritis spoke of the important steps being taken by both Greece and Cyprus in building deeper ties with regional allies – namely Israel.