A message to Ankara that the de-escalation of tension in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean is welcome, but must continue based on the Charter of the United Nations and respect for International Law, the Minister of National Defense sent Nikos Dendias in his joint statements with the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Cyprus Michalis Giorgalla.

Mr. Dendias noted that the tripartite and quadripartite collaborations of the Hellenic and the Republic of Cyprus are not directed against anyone, they are not tools against any other country, but are open schemes that are welcome to participate under the terms of international law and other states.

“I would like to remind you of our firm position, that for us a solution two states does not exist” the Minister of Defense clarified.

The statements of the Minister of Defense in detail

“Mr. Minister, my dear Michael, it is a great honor for me to be in Cyprus again today, in Nicosia, this time in the capacity of the Minister of National Defense of the Hellenic Republic. And I would first like to thank you for your warm welcome. Let me assure you that for us the deepening of our relationship and our defense cooperation is an absolute priority.

I would like to express my deepest condolences for the loss of Evelpidos in the past few days to you and to the Cypriot society and of course to his family.

Our conversations today confirmed one thing: Our strong will to deepen and expand our coordination both bilaterally and at the level of the European Union and at the level of our allies and friends.

We discussed very specific and practical steps that we need to take and we also discussed how the interoperability of our Armed Forces can be expanded.

We discussed how we can also strengthen our tripartite cooperation with other friendly countries. I would like to take this opportunity to say something that I always say, regardless of position, that the tripartite and quadripartite partnerships of the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Cyprus they are not directed against anyone, they are not tools against some other country. Rather, they are open schemes that are open to participation by other states under international law.

I would also like to say that we had the opportunity to discuss the wider security situation in this region of the world, of enormous strategic importance, the Eastern Mediterranean.

We exchanged views and we will also discuss at lunch about this, that because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there are lessons from this conflict, above all others.

Of course, the Cyprus and Greece are on the side of International Law, after all, on this basis, International Law and International Law of the Sea, we have structured our defense cooperation.

I would also like to say, as a general observation, that de-escalation of tension in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region is welcome and I hope that it will continue and create the possibility for a climate of trust to exist.

But all of this, of course, should be based on the Charter of the United Nations, there should be respect for International Law, there should be respect for International Law of the Sea and there should be absolute condemnation of the threat of the use of force and of course the use of force itself.

Within this framework, we continue and will always continue our undivided support for the achievement of a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem.

A solution that will be based on the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, compatible of course with the European acquis, this great framework of values, the proudest in the history of the planet I dare say, to which the two countries.

And I would like to remind you of our firm position, that for us a two-state solution does not exist. We are and will be helpers of the Republic of Cyprus in the effort to avoid fait accompli. I myself have repeatedly said that for us Cyprus is not far away.

I would like to say that as the new Minister of Defense I had the opportunity to express to my friend the Minister my congratulations for strengthening the capabilities of the Republic of Cyprus and for the plans that President Christodoulidis, the Minister and the Cypriot Government have made for the future.

The two countries, these two Democracies, Greece and Cyprus, will always be together, on the front line. But how; As bastions of stability, security and peace in our region.

Michalis, I look forward to our cooperation, it is my great pleasure that we discussed the issues that concern us at length today and I look forward with particular pleasure to repaying your gracious hospitality in Athens.

Be well.”