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Mitsotakis, Anastasiades: Turkey's acts harm not only Greece-Cyprus but also EU interests

Mitsotakis, Anastasiades: Turkey's acts harm not only Greece-Cyprus but also EU interests

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in their meeting on Wednesday in Nicosia, underlined the excellent cooperation that exists between Cyprus and Greece, but also the cooperation of the two countries with Egypt, at the level of their trilateral cooperation.

The meeting was held in the framework of the 8th Trilateral Summit of Cyprus, Greece, Egypt.

Welcoming Mitsotakis, President Anastasiadies referred to the summit, describing it as important due to the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

"Dear Prime Minister, it is really with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 8th trilateral meeting between Cyprus, Greece and Egypt. An important and timely summit amidst developments in our neighbourhood," the President said and added:

"I want to express once again my gratitude for the excellent cooperation and support we have both in international fora, but also in the European Council when it meets, especially when it deals with Turkey's violations against Cyprus, Greece and other areas. Today we will be given the opportunity to have an overall assessment of the whole situation.

"Recently, as you well know, we had the election of a new Turkish Cypriot leader within the Turkish Cypriot community. I have contacted him, I have expressed my readiness and determination to participate in any new initiative that the UN Secretary General wants in order to resume a creative dialogue, so that real peace can finally prevail both in Cyprus and in the region. I hope that the positions expressed so far by the Turkish Cypriot leader will not be the final ones because in such a case, you realise that we will have a deviation.

"Ahead of the meeting, which we have jointly decided for next week and in view of the Secretary General's initiatives, I do not want to make statements that might create a climate of tension.

"What I am saying is that we remain committed to finding a solution that is functional and therefore viable, based on UN resolutions, Security Council resolutions but of course also on the principles and values of the European Union, of which we are and will remain a member after the solution.

"I want to welcome you and express the gratitude of the all Cypriot Hellenism for the impeccable attitude and support that we get whenever we need it."