Greece will continue to support the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus, says Greek FM

Greece will continue to support the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus, says Greek FM

Greece will continue to support the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus, says Greek FM

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias was in Cyprus on Tuesday for talks with President Nikos Anastasiades and Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides.

In a tweet, Anastasiades underlined that he had a very constructive meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister with whom he discussed Greece and Cyprus' common line against the Turkish provocations and the de-escalation of the tension in the region.

On his part, Nikos Dendias posted on his twitter account: "I was received by President Anastasiades and we discussed Greece and Cyprus close cooperation and coordination in the sectors of regional stability and safety."

Dendias also met with his Cyprus counterpart Nikos Christodoulides.

At a joint press conference in Nicosia following expanded contacts between delegations, the Greek Foreign Minister said they "discussed bilateral relations and our collaboration in the framework of a joint point of view we maintain and cultivate with countries of the area who share the same values and points of view as us. It is common knowledge that these collaborations contribute to maintaining peace and stability in our region."

The Greek FM also said Turkish provocative behaviour in the region "runs against the EU and should result in an escalation of the European reaction." He said this would be discussed at leadership level by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades at the MED7 Summit in Corsica and at the extraordinary European Council Summit.

The aggressive behaviour Dendias said, "shows disdain at clear stances by the EU, the US and the countries of our region," and he mentioned specifically the illegal Turkish activity within the Cyprus exclusive economic zone and the Greek continental shelf. An insistence on illegal behaviour does not create faits accomplis, he said, adding that Greece itself "has always been a proponent of dialog."

On his part, the Cypriot Foreign Minister spoke of the daily communication between the two foreign ministries, and the commitment of both towards creating conditions of security and stability in the area.

"We believe in and are truly working in this direction," Christodoulides underlined, "since it is the only prospect that serves the interests of all countries long term."

He also said that despite the volatile international conditions, diplomacy does not recognise unresolvable issues. "Even if it is not obvious right now, this is temporary and what is needed is decisiveness, patience, persistence and very clear goals. If there is true commitment and will by all sides, dialog can bring results," he said.