“The Cyprus issue is a top national priority, a top priority of Greek foreign policy”, underlined the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias in his joint statements with the new Cypriot Foreign Minister Kostantinos Koboduring his first visit abroad, after assuming his duties.

“We continue our undivided support for the achievement of a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, a solution that is a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation, compatible with the European acquis”, he said.

During the meeting, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out, efforts were discussed to prevent the rise of the pseudo-state internationally, by mobilizing the European Union, in the USAas well as to strategic and regional partners.

“Greece will continue to support the Republic of Cyprus in the effort to avoid new crimes”, Mr. Dendias pointed out and added that “after all, regarding the status of the Varosians, the relevant Decisions of the Security Council are clear”.

“The basic parameter for finding a mutually acceptable solution for the Cyprus issue is the Turkish attitude,” he stressed.

Unfortunately, as the minister mentioned, “today’s meeting takes place at a time when Greece and Hellenism are mourning because of the tragic train accident in Tempi”, while he recalled that two Cypriot students were among the victims.

Mr. Dendias thanked his counterparts from all countries who, from the first moment, showed their solidarity and mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the authorities received numerous messages of support.

“Moves, such as the Albanian and Cypriot governments to declare national mourning, move us deeply”, he stressed.

Referring to Turkey, the Foreign Minister noted that “it is experiencing a humanitarian tragedy” and noted that Greece hastened to help Turkey, with a sincere attitude, while it sent – and continues to send – humanitarian aid.

After all, he, together with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, as the first European Foreign Minister, visited the affected areas where EMAK units were already operating.

“Senior Turkish officials have publicly expressed thanks to the Greek government and the Greek people for our practical solidarity and the sentiments we expressed,” he noted and added:

“For its part, I want to acknowledge that Turkey, as soon as the tragic accident in Tempi became known, sent corresponding messages of support. The Turkish Foreign Minister was my first counterpart, he called me to express his condolences.”

“The tragic events in Greece and Turkey they brought our two societies together, they created a climate between us”, he underlined.

“It is too early to draw safe conclusions if this climate will be maintained at the political level as well. But I believe that we should make use of it for the normalization of Greek-Turkish relations, which will also have a positive impact on efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue.”

“Greece is firmly in favor of dialogue, based on the UN Charter, respect for International Law and International Law of the Sea, condemnation of the threat or use of force,” he emphasized.

During the meeting, the prospect of further strengthening the relations between Greece and Cyprus was also discussed, in various areas, such as the economy, trade and investments, and the continuation of cooperation on issues of global interest, such as migration, climate change and energy .

Mr. Dendias also informed about the organization by Greece of the “Our Ocean 2024” Conference, while he mentioned that this discussion will be repeated on Monday during the visit of President Nikos Christodoulidis.

“The Eastern Mediterranean is emerging as a region with a catalytic role in the protection of the environment and in the energy independence of the EU. Greece and Cyprus can play a decisive role in this direction”, he stressed.

He also mentioned that they discussed the tripartite and multilateral schemes in the Eastern Mediterranean region, Greece-Cyprus-Egypt, Greece-Cyprus-Israel and the 3+1 mechanism (Greece-Cyprus-Israel + USA) and the excellent cooperation in International Organizations.

He will have the opportunity to present in New York next week the Greek candidacy for the UN General Assembly in the period 2025-2026.

Finally, the Russian invasion of Ukraine was discussed, which “threatens the security of Europe, endangers world peace and stability, flagrantly violates international law and the UN Charter, and challenges the multilateral international system of rules as a whole.”

“Revisionism and expansionism must be defeated. International law and the inviolability of borders must be respected”, concluded Mr. Dendias.

Cypriot Foreign Minister: We are never going to accept dichotomous or two-state solutions

“Greece has always been our support” in the effort to resolve the Cyprus problem, the new Foreign Minister of Cyprus pointed out and pointed out that the “common vision” of both countries is the reunification of Cyprus.

Mr. Kombos began his statements by referring to the tragic accident in Tempi and emphasized that the visit “takes place under a heavy veil of mourning for the untimely loss of so many of our fellow human beings, which include Cypriots”.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, he characteristically underlined that “we are never going to accept dichotomous or two-state solutions in Cyprus or other similar and imaginative approaches of the same logic”.

“The goal is to resolve the Cyprus problem, always within the agreed framework of the UN on the basis of the bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality and based on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council,” he noted.

“We hope that through the initiatives that will be undertaken in the next period, those conditions will be created that will allow the resumption of talks”, he said and characteristically added that the contribution of the EU is particularly important in this context.

But, he pointed out, “the lawlessness in the enclosed area of ​​Varosia continues. Ankara is moving to another level by creating new achievements”.

“We always remain vigilant and emphasize that any other development, other than the handing over of Varosians under the administration of the United Nations, is a violation of international legality,” he said.

“The fact that we are firmly by each other’s side works multiplyingly in terms of our ability to be a safe harbor in our region,” Mr. Kombos noted.

He also emphasized that “an automatic and multi-level coordination and consultation mechanism has been developed between Greece and Cyprus, on a bilateral, regional, international level”.

He stated that Greece and Cyprus are pillars of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region and are leading the development of multilateral cooperation schemes, as they “act as a bridge between the countries of the region and the EU”.

“We are working to further develop and deepen these relations to help transform the Eastern Mediterranean into an area of ​​peace, stability and cooperation,” he noted. “We want to be the catalyst for this effort together.”

He emphasized that “such a vision does not fit threatening attitudes, such as those of Turkey”.

A common element of both countries is the adherence to international law and European principles and values.

He also referred to the common approach of the two towards Ukraine and noted that a year after Russia’s illegal and ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the EU continues to support the government of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in practice.

“The European expression of solidarity and support goes through and through the divided Cyprus”, he characteristically pointed out.

“Our position is clear, we condemn the Russian invasion, we reject any action that violates international law, we support the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” he concluded.