Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides expressed their commitment to pursuing a peaceful resolution for the Mediterranean island during their meeting in Nicosia. They emphasized the need for a UN-sanctioned bizonal, bicommunal federation as the basis for a peace settlement.
Mitsotakis emphasized that these principles have guided their decisions and that it is crucial to address the historical wound and put an end to the presence of an occupying army and outdated system of guarantees in an EU member state. He dismissed Turkish demands for a two-state solution and called for the application of the European acquis across the entire island. Resumption of negotiations under the UN secretary-general's auspices was seen as the only viable path.
Northern Cyprus has been occupied by Turkish troops since 1974. Mitsotakis also acknowledged the recent improvements in Greek-Turkish and EU-Turkish relations but emphasized the importance of a gradual and reversible approach.
Christodoulides highlighted the common objectives shared by Greece and Cyprus, stating that despite perceived differences, their goals and means to achieve them align. He expressed optimism and welcomed Ankara's statements about strengthening Euro-Turkish relations, while closely monitoring developments in Turkey after the elections.
