President Nikos Christodoulides said that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria must be safeguarded, and hoped that countries like Turkey would not attempt to exploit the gap created by the change of leadership in Syria.

In remarks at Kalamata, Greece where he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the Peloponnese while the Municipality of Kalamata also named him an honorary citizen, Christodoulides was invited to comment on Turkey’s aggressive rhetoric regarding Syria, where he said that during the European Council discussions on Syria, he and the Greek Prime Minister had the opportunity to present the situation as it stands.

“You understand that Cyprus and Greece are the member states that are neighbours to Syria. Cyprus is about 78 kilometres from Syria. Therefore, we have a responsibility, and this is what we did at the European Council, to present the facts as they are”, he told journalists.

On one hand, he continued, “of course, we welcome the removal of the leader of the country, but at the same time, we must be particularly cautious to ensure that Syria’s future is secured, that its territorial integrity and sovereignty are upheld. We must see a government that is inclusive and, certainly, we must not allow neighboring countries, like Turkey, to attempt to exploit this gap created by the change of leadership in the country”.