Greek President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, underlined the unity and solidarity between Greece and Cyprus in the face of Turkish provocations during an official visit to Nicosia on Monday.
“The two countries maintain a common, solid diplomatic front,” she said during talks with her Cyprus counterpart, Nicos Anastasiades.
“Greece, like Cyprus, wants and looks forward to a constructive change in Turkey’s stance. In compliance with the Charter of the United Nations, International Law and the Law of the Sea, as well as the Security Council resolutions on Cyprus,” she added.
The two-day trip to Cyprus is the Greek President’s first visit abroad since taking up her duties in March.
Her talks at the Presidential Palace on Monday focused on the situation in the Aegean and east Mediterranean.
“We have seen difficult times to which you also referred and nobody can guarantee that they are over,” Sakellaropoulou said at a joint press conference with Anastasiades after the meeting.
“The withdrawal of the Oruc Reis is a step toward de-escalation but it remains to be proved whether this was a tactical move with a short-term goal or a choice with depth and continuity.”
Sakellaropoulou also reaffirmed that Greece’s top concern remained the termination of Turkish occupation and finding an agreed solution to the Cyprus problem.
“The unwavering focus on this peaceful goal … strengthens Greece, unites, rallies, and mobilises my country’s social and political forces,” she said.
“Settling this important international issue of invasion and occupation would contribute decisively to the security and stability of the wider area of the eastern Mediterranean.”
