It should be clear to Turkey that actions as in Varosia and Pyla or actions aimed at trying to recognize the pseudo-state will be extremely negative for the Greek-Turkish dialogue, said on Wednesday the president of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, Stefanos Kasselakis, after his meeting with the president of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulidis, at the Presidential Palace.

Mr. Kasselakis underlined that “what we need are not unilateral actions, but confidence-building measures”.

He stressed the importance of restarting the talks in the framework of the UN resolutions from where they were interrupted in Grand Montana and a Bizonal Bicommunal Federation solution for the benefit of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots without guarantees and Turkish occupation troops.

The president of SYRIZA also expressed his support for the initiatives undertaken by the president of Cyprus to restart talks for a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem.

They also discussed international developments, and pointed out the importance of coordination and the cooperation between Cyprus and Greece.

Regarding the Greek diaspora, he mentioned that it is something that he will institutionally try to promote when he visits the USA on his upcoming visit.

Mr. Kasselakis did not take questions from journalists.

The statement of the president of SYRIZA in detail

“From the first moment I took over as leader of the official opposition, I considered it my duty that my first visit outside of Greece should be here in the Republic of Cyprus. I had an extremely productive discussion with President Christodoulidis, where we discussed many issues thoroughly. On the part of the official opposition, I emphasized the importance we attach to restarting the talks, as soon as possible, within the framework of the UN resolutions, from where they were interrupted in Crans Montana in 2017. Talks for a bizonal-bicommunal federation solution for the benefit of the Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, without guarantees and without occupying troops.

“I also emphasized the support we offer to the President and the initiatives he has taken to appoint a UN envoy, as well as the active role of the EU towards a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem. As far as the EU is concerned, Euro-Turkish relations are of great importance. They must be used in terms of the Greek-Turkish dialogue, but of course also in terms of the solution of the Cyprus problem.

»We also discussed international developments and I stressed, from our side, the importance we attach to coordination and cooperation between Cyprus and Greece. Moreover, we have seen this in recent years with the “3+1” format and also with the Summit of the European Countries of the South, which have borne fruit in our efforts. These are efforts that were established during the SYRIZA government.

“Also, in the matter of coordination, something that is very important is the Greek community. It is something that I personally, but also institutionally, will try to promote in my upcoming visit to the USA.

“Finally, as far as the Greek-Turkish dialogue is concerned, it is a welcome development, but it must be clear to Turkey that actions such as those in Varosia and Pyla, or actions aimed at trying to recognize the pseudo-state, will be extremely negative for the Greek-Turkish dialogue. What we need are not unilateral actions but confidence-building measures.”