Inter-parliamentary group featuring South Australian MPs holds meetings in Cyprus

A delegation of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA), a global organisation that comprises of elected members of legislatures of Hellenic descent, visited the Republic of Cyprus this week to coincide with the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the invasion of the island. The purpose of the visit was to express its support for the Republic and to encourage the reunification of the island. Three of the legislators present were of Greek Cypriot descent.

The visit included an important meeting with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides. Apart from expressing its support for the Republic and its efforts to seek a lasting and peaceful solution for the reunification of the island, the delegation also expressed its willingness to encourage ongoing and increased economic and cultural ties between the island and the various regions represented by WHIA. The delegation acknowledged and applauded the constructive role Cyprus is playing in assisting with the humanitarian sea corridor delivering food and vital supplies at a time of conflict in the region.  

With regards to the ongoing illegal occupation of the island, the delegation visited the Minister of Defence, Vasilis Palmas and the Cypriot National Guard to receive a briefing on the current status, as well as the Hellenic Forces in Cyprus (ELDYK) where they paid their respects to the soldiers who lost their lives as a result of the invasion.

The delegation also visited the Green Line in Nicosia with the Mayor, Charalambos Prountzos and then spoke with civil society stakeholders who underscored that Nicosia remains the only divided capital in the world.

The delegation also dialogued with several Cypriot diaspora organisations working towards the reunification of the island. The WHIA also attended the opening ceremony of a conference hosted by the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA), the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the World Organization for Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK).

Furthermore, the delegation was honored to meet Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus.

On July 21, 2023, the WHIA passed a resolution on Cyprus at its 14th General Assembly. The measure expressed support for the President of Cyprus in his efforts to restart negotiations through the European Union and the United Nations. Since that time, WHIA President and Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis has pushed for Cyprus to be included in the United States visa waiver program and a group of 24 American legislators has been pushing to extend the waiver renewal period for the arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus from one year to five years. 

The Parliament of Canada unanimously passed a Resolution on June 13, 2024 marking the 50th anniversary of the invasion and calling for a just and peaceful reunification of the island. Canadian members of WHIA visited the United Nations controlled Buffer Zone to pay tribute at a monument for the 28 Canadian peacekeepers who lost their lives during the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Cyprus. 

On the July 4^th, 2024, Federal MP of Australia, Steve Georganas raised the issue of Cyprus and the unjust 50 year occupation of the North and called for a united and just Cyprus in the Australian Federal Parliament.

The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union and is a stable and reliable partner in the region. It is time to enable the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to decide their own future in a peaceful and united Cyprus. 

The WHIA delegation was comprised of elected legislators of Greek and Cypriot descent from Australia, Canada, South Africa, Ukraine and the United States.

1. Leonidas Raptakis, Rhode Island State Senator (U.S.A.) 
2. Stavros Anthony, Lt. Governor of Nevada (U.S.A.) 
3. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, Connecticut State Representative (U.S.A.)
4. Michael Tannousis, New York Assemblyman (U.S.A.) 
5. Stephan Pappas, Wyoming State Senator (U.S.A.) 
6. Effie Triantafilopoulos, Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario (Canada)  
7. Annie Koutrakis, Federal Member of Parliament (Canada) 
8. Aris Babikian, Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario (Canada)   
9. Steve Georganas, Federal Member of Parliament (Australia) 
10. Andrea Michaels, Member of South Australian Parliament (Australia) 
11. George Michalakis, Member of Parliament (South Africa) 
12. Hryhoriy Nemyria, First Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament (Ukraine)