Two Greek Cypriot MPs in Turkey to discuss ‘role of Cyprus in achieving peace’

Two Greek Cypriot MPs were in the Turkish city of Antalya on Thursday to discuss the role of Cyprus in achieving stability and peace in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The MPs, Disy’s Nikos Tornaritis and Akel’s Giorgos Loukaides, are in Turkey to participate in the executive council of the Asian Parliamentary assembly.

In addition to the assembly, Tornaritis, heading the Cypriot delegation, met with the Turkish Parliament’s speaker Numan Kurtulmus. He also met with the heads of the delegations of China and Azerbaijan.

During the assembly’s discussion regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza, Tornaritis spoke of how the “geostrategic position of Cyprus enables it to function as a bridge of diplomacy and cooperation between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.”

He added that Cyprus is “actively pursuing” the role, “with the aim of contributing to the eventual achievement of stability and peace in the volatile Eastern Mediterranean region.”

He also touched on the Cypriot initiative to create a humanitarian corridor between the island and Gaza and said the basis of the initiative was “the geographical proximity and reliability that Cyprus offers, both as a European Union member state and a close partner of most Eastern Mediterranean countries.”

Additionally, he said Cyprus “condemns all forms of violence and attacks and the tragic loss of civilians, whichever side they come from.”

He added that the country is “working systematically to prevent the possibility of the conflict spreading and working to de-escalate the situation.”

“The Republic of Cyprus is committed to resolving the Middle East issue on the basis of a two-state solution, through a peace process, in accordance with international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions, as the only possible way to achieve regional stability and security,” he said.

Loukaides also spoke at the event, welcoming the assembly’s decision to establish a special committee on the Palestinian issue. He added his condemnation of the Israeli actions in Gaza, describing them as “gross violations of human rights.”

He added his “full solidarity and support for the Palestinian people”.