“We have this at the top of our own foreign policy Cypriot“, commented the Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis, remembering that “we are trying with all our strength so that discussions can be restarted”.
In an interview with ANT1 Cyprus, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated: “I want to assure you that we will exhaust all possible efforts so that we can restart the discussion on the Cyprus issue, the dialogue between President Christodoulides and the Turkish Cypriot leader. This is the effort we are making.”
This effort, as he said, must be done within the framework of United Nations Security Council resolutions, while “Turkey must play a more productive role in this issue so that there can be a discussion”.
Without dialogue there can be no solution
“It is a law of logic: without dialogue there can be no solution – and we must exhaust this dialogue. The Republic of Cyprus, always aiming for peace, harmonious co-existence in Cyprus, in the bi-zonal bi-communal federation solution, I think has set the framework and we in turn – the Greek Government and I personally – are making tireless efforts in sense from all parties so that the necessary framework exists”, noted the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Gerapetritis described the next period as particularly critical and important, said he maintains “sustainable optimism that in the next period we will be able to start dialogue” and when asked to clarify where this optimism derives from, he replied: “At this moment, what I record – and register with particular satisfaction – is that the Secretary-General of the United Nations is extremely committed and committed to this development, he has made the issue of resuming dialogue a priority and it is very important, at the highest level of the international organization which occupies almost all countries in the world, have the Cyprus issue as a priority at this time. On the other hand, when debating with my Turkish counterpart, I also convey the need to restart discussions.
The normalization of Greek-Turkish relations is a positive contribution to the Cyprus issue
To the question whether it is possible to normalize Greek-Turkish relations with the Cyprus issue unresolved, Gerapetritis said that “the effort being made to tread calmer waters with Turkey is an effort aimed at peace and prosperity in our wider region” and expressed the conviction that “the normalization of Greek-Turkish relations will also have a positive contribution to the Cyprus issue”. He further considered that “it is important during this period that at least there is a communication channel with Turkey, that we take advantage of this environment and can have a beneficial development for the Cyprus issue”.
Gerapetritis emphasized at the same time that “we are not indifferent, we know that Turkey’s basic positions will not change over time” and explained that “what we seek is, on the one hand, to limit hostility – and, in fact, they were limited the overflights that are taking place over the Aegean – and, on the other hand, build a positive agenda with measures that will be mutually beneficial”.
For Fidan’s statements
Asked to comment on yesterday’s statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Mr. Gerapetritis called them “incorrect and reprehensible”, stressing that they “have absolutely nothing to do with the truth, nor do they contribute to the climate of mutual understanding”. “.
“It is clear that the statements were not productive, do not correspond to reality and do not benefit either party. It is clear that the Republic of Cyprus has a very essential role to play: it is the European Union country closest to the Middle East, has carried out a high-level humanitarian project in the region and has significantly improved its geopolitical role. The reality is that it has no involvement, as stated, in the military operations that are taking place”.
He reiterated with emphasis that “we stand in solidarity against any threat against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. We will stand with it.”
Mr. Gerapetritis also clarified that “the foreign policy of Greece and Cyprus is a principled foreign policy. We do not accept suggestions or advice” and added: “We will continue on this path that we have outlined, so that we can dialogue with all parties involved, to make a productive contribution, not only to the peace process in the region, but also to the humanitarian aid that must be provided. , a role that I think is recognized by all parties”.
Asked if the moment chosen by Mr. Fidan to make the statements points in another direction and if the Turkish Foreign Minister wants to “muddy the waters” on other issues, Mr. Gerapetritis commented that “we are at an extremely critical turning point in the Middle East”. , following Biden’s proposal on the peace process” and added that both Greece and Cyprus are trying to have as productive a position as possible so that the parties can understand the basic positions, reconcile their differences and there will be peace in the area.
“This type of productive attitude on the part of Greece and Cyprus is not always followed by all parties, who try to position themselves in different ways. I think the most critical thing at this moment (…) is that we must have an immediate ceasefire and, above all, we must eliminate any possibility of a spread of hostilities, which will have even more disastrous results.”
Mitsotakis’ visit is of “high symbolism”.
Regarding the visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Cyprus, for the first time on the day of the black anniversary, Mr. Gerapetritis underlined that it is a “highly symbolic” visit that “wants to highlight the common national policy we have, to highlight once again the Cypriot issue”.
Commenting on the fact that there was a Turkish delegation in the occupied territories at the same time, he noted: “We know that on the other side there will be a Turkish delegation under the command of President Erdogan, with those who do not correspond to reality and history. We will remain faithful to history, we will remain faithful to peace, we will remain faithful to the expectation that the island must march together.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs also stated that “for us, in Greece, it is extremely important to be able to show the Cypriot people our desire to advance in fraternity and we will do this on the day of the black anniversary”.
To allow Father Beleri to take office on July 16
At the same time, he characterized it as “the obvious and the least that the Albanian side must do” allow MEP-elect Fredis Beleris to take the oath on July 16 (day of the inauguration of new members of the European Parliament) and to participate in all the work of the European Parliament.
Speaking on the ANT1 Cyprus news bulletin, Mr Gerapetritis said: “Fredis Beleris is not only a prisoner elected president of the chamber, but he is also a member of the European Parliament. On July 16th, the new members of the European Parliament take office. We expect the obvious from the Albanian government: respect for the European acquis, respect for the rule of law, that Fredis Beleris can take the oath and participate in all the work of the European Parliament. This is clear and the least the Albanian side should do.”
Commenting on the decision of the Tirana Court of Appeal to maintain the first instance sentence of two years in prison for the elected president of Tirana and elected MEP from ND, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that “it was a development, which did not deviate from what we expected” and noted that the Greek government “realized very early the main concerns it had regarding the application of the basic fundamental principles of the rule of law, such as the presumption of innocence, the disproportionality of the sentence, illegal duration – long-term detention and the inability of Fredis Beleris to take the oath as mayor in Heimarra for a long period, resulting in an unlegitimized authority to administer the Municipality”.
He also emphasized that “all these reserves of ours today are simply multiplying.”
Outside of reality, anyone who uses a name other than the constitutional one
“There is no other name for any use except the name of North Macedonia” clarified the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, when asked to comment in this evening’s ANT1 Cyprus news bulletin on the statements of the new Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Christian Mickoski, regarding the name of his country.
“It is not only the national position, nor the position of the Greek Foreign Minister, but it is also my absolutely logical legal position that there is no doubt whatsoever that there is no other name for any use except the name of Macedonia of North. And I want to say that this is not just a prediction of the Prespa Agreement. This is really the heart of this dealbecause the name, especially the use of the name, that is, where it will be used, was essentially the main issue during the process of drafting the agreement. Therefore, coming today to undo what we agreed is the fundamental basis of the agreement, is completely inconsistent and has nothing to do with the interpretation of the Convention,” said Mr. Gerapetritis.
Characterize it “Out of realityoutside of logic and international law, people who hold public office, in their public discourse use a name different from that provided for in international law and in the national Constitution”.
It is absolutely clear that the name is North Macedonia
“International agreements are legal, technical texts, which include concepts and through which the signing parties assume commitments, obligations and rights. In this case, it is absolutely clear in the letter and spirit of the treaty that the name of the neighboring country is North Macedonia for all erga omnes uses, both at home and abroad,” said Mr. Gerapetritis.
He also emphasized with emphasis that “it will be good – because this is also related to North Macedonia’s path in the European family – to observe the agreements, observe the rule of law and above all observe the Constitution of the country itself”.
Asked to comment on Mickoski’s personal attacks against him, the Foreign Minister noted that he will never personalize foreign policy and national issues and will remain loyal to principled diplomacy.