Mitsotakis in Nicosia: There will be no two-state solution to Cyprus

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades in their meeting today in Nicosia took a joint position on the Cyprus issue.

The two leaders called for a bi-zonal bi-communal federation as the only solution to resolve the division of Cyprus caused by the 1974 Turkish invasion that led to 200,000 refugees, thousands of deaths and hundreds of women raped.

"Today's visit comes at a sensitive time for the Cyprus issue," the prime minister said, noting that discussions on the issue are under way for a five-party meeting under the auspices of the UN.

"I assured that the end of Turkey's occupation and the finding of a functional and mutually acceptable solution remains a top priority of Greek foreign policy, an act of justice to the Cypriot people," said Mitsotakis, referring to a "national priority."

He expressed the commitment of both sides to the UN decisions that define the "only universally binding solution framework" for the Cyprus issue is a "bi-zonal bi-communal solution."

"Unfortunately," he added, "Turkey and the new Turkish Cypriot leader are "outside the UN, insisting on the groundless position of two states, something rejected, not only by Greece and Cyprus, but also the UN and the EU."

"Ankara and (Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin) Tatar should know that the resumption of dialogue will take place within the limits I have underlined," he said, adding that "the solution must not serve Turkey's goals."

The need to comply with international rules was also mentioned by Anastasiades, who stressed that the goal is to "serve the rights of all the people" and not to have "superpowers" for any party.

Mitsotakis asked Turkey to prove, in practice, that it really wants a sincere dialogue but also to also stop illegal actions.

He referred to the forthcoming European Union summit, saying he was confident the EU would show necessary solidarity.

Dialogue with other parties, as he continued, must be governed by respect for international law, namely the United Nations Charter Law of the Sea and good neighborly relations.

"Greece and Cyprus are pillars of stability and peace," Mitsotakis stressed elsewhere in his statement.

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