Nikos Christodoulides has reaffirmed the strong bond between Cyprus and Greece, declaring that the two nations remain united in confronting regional challenges and Turkey’s continuing presence in occupied northern Cyprus.
Speaking before the Hellenic Parliament on Thursday, Christodoulides described Greece as Cyprus’ closest and most dependable ally during what was widely regarded as a symbolic and historic address.
“In this great effort to rid ourselves of the bonds of occupation, we never feel alone,” he said.
“We have the support of Greece first and foremost, Greece which remains our most consistent and selfless ally.”
Addressing Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Greek MPs, the Cypriot president drew on historical and cultural references to emphasise the shared identity and longstanding ties between the two countries.
He honoured the Greek soldiers who died defending Cyprus during the 1974 Turkish invasion, saying they had earned a place “in the pantheon of the immortals” alongside revered figures from Greek history and Cyprus’ liberation struggle.
Christodoulides strongly criticised Turkey’s continued occupation of the island’s north, accusing Ankara of changing the region’s demographic makeup through the settlement of Turkish nationals.
He reiterated that Cyprus remained committed to pursuing a comprehensive settlement based on the agreed United Nations framework, European Union principles and previous negotiations, while firmly ruling out any discussion of partition.
“From this historic podium, and in the most official manner, I want to stress that for us the two-state solution does not exist even as a thought,” he said. “We shall never agree to discuss the legitimisation of the illegality.”
The president said renewed diplomatic efforts had helped place the Cyprus issue back on the international agenda despite global focus on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
He also described Cyprus’ accession to the European Union in 2004 as the country’s greatest diplomatic success since independence, adding that Cyprus had since become a mature and active contributor within the bloc.
Turning to security matters, Christodoulides thanked Greece for quickly responding to Cyprus’ request to strengthen its defence capabilities following a recent drone strike near RAF Akrotiri, saying the support demonstrated the enduring strategic partnership between the two countries.
He concluded on an optimistic note, pointing to Cyprus’ strong economic growth and expressing confidence in the future of both nations.
“Cyprus and Greece are together walking the path to progress, prosperity, growth and security, with the certainty that the coming days will be even better,” he said.
Source: Cyprus Mail
