Cyprus and Greece reaffirmed their commitment to institutionalise intergovernmental summits, thus contributing to stability in the eastern Mediterranean and enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Speaking after Wednesday’s second intergovernmental summit in Nicosia with President Nikos Christodoulides, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece and Cyprus were becoming “pillars of security and stability” amid unrest in the broader region, adding that “our voice is getting louder.”

He expressed satisfaction over the ceasefire in Lebanon and said Greece and Cyprus had worked so that the crisis did not spread to the region.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, he said the aim was a just and viable solution.

“We will accept neither the legalisation of what has been done nor, of course, the perpetuation of a drama that has lasted for 50 years,” he said.

Mitsotakis said Greco-Turkish relations could facilitate the resumption of talks for Cyprus, however “we have no illusions that this improvement would automatically mean that Turkey will shift from its positions.”

Christodoulides referred to the timing of the meeting, saying that this was “a crucial time both on a regional and a European and international level, in an ever-changing world”.

“Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, the imminent change in the US government, the start of a new institutional cycle in the EU, demand an even more enhanced coordination of the two countries,” he said.

The summit, co-chaired by Christodoulides and Mitsotakis and attended by ministers and deputy ministers from both countries, discussed developments in the Cyprus problem and efforts to resume negotiations for a settlement.

In a joint communique issued after the summit, Christodoulides and Mitsotakis reaffirmed that a solution must be in line with UN Security Council resolutions and expressed hope that Turkey would contribute towards resuming talks.

Speaking to the press, Christodoulides said discussions were held in view of a forthcoming meeting called by the UN secretary-general.

“I have said it before and I will repeat it today: the status quo does not constitute the future of the people of Cyprus, it is not viable and the termination of the Turkish occupation and the reunification of the last divided EU member state is our number one priority,” he added.

The summit discussed cooperation between Cyprus and Greece to improve the quality of life of both peoples and it as decided that cooperation would extend into new sectors, such as labour and social policy.

The two countries reviewed progress in areas of cooperation, including education, health, energy, digital policy, environment, reforms and public administration. Fourteen ministers from both countries discussed these areas of cooperation.

The leaders acknowledged the significant progress made in civil protection actions and welcomed their excellent cooperation in repatriating their nationals from Lebanon last October.

In education, the two countries had signed an agreement of cooperation and mutual recognition of university titles, and further discussed bullying and the new of new technologies, universities and student issues.

Regarding health, the two countries signed agreements on kidney and lung transplants and agreed to expedite cooperation in pharmaceuticals.

Over the period since the last summit, the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in pension and employment issues.

Social policy and welfare included agreements to expand cooperation to better protect vulnerable groups and support families.

On digital policy, the two sides saw great progress in developing the Cypriot digital citizen app, with expertise from Greece. Cooperation will be extended to include AI, digital solutions for road traffic and making good use of space technology in important sectors.

In the energy sector, progress has been made in promoting the Great Sea Interconnector and both sides expressed satisfaction over the interest shown by investment funds from various countries to participate in the project. They also agreed to enhance cooperation in the competitive market of natural gas and renewable energy sources.

Regarding environment and climate change, Cyprus and Greece exchanged know-how in managing water resources and the voluntary carbon market mechanism.

Justice was another sector discussed and the two sides agreed to exchange know-how in judicial reform, combatting corruption and enhancing the state of law. They also welcomed the memorandum of cooperation signed in October to prevent and combat violence against women.

In public administration and governance, Cyprus and Greece agreed to draft a memorandum of cooperation to draw expertise from the Greek side in order to set up a foresight unit in the Cypriot presidency.

Regarding defence, they examined the use of European instruments for innovative initiatives in the defence industry, as well as multilateral cooperation agreements for security and defence in the eastern Mediterranean.

The shipping sector saw the digitalisation of services and the creation of prospects for the sustainable operation of maritime passenger connection between Cyprus and Greece.

The two countries also reviewed progress in research and innovation, firefighting and culture. Regarding the latter, they referred to their agreement to combat the illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts.
The next intergovernmental summit will take place in Greece in 2025.