Greek President's presence "a powerful unity message", House President says

The presence for the first time of a Greek President in Cyprus on the day celebrating the island's independence sends a powerful message of solidarity and unity, House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou said on Tuesday. 

Demetriou was speaking during a meeting she had with Greece's President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who is paying the island an official visit, a House of Representatives press release said. 

Welcoming Sakellaropoulou to the House of Representatives Demetriou underlined the significance of the presence for the first time of a President of the Hellenic Republic in Cyprus on this day, both as a symbolic gesture but also as a substantial gesture, stressing that a powerful message of solidarity and unity is being sent, but also a message about the need for Athens and Nicosia to have a united front to face common challenges, the press release added. 

She also expressed her disappointment over the increasing intransigence and unacceptable claims of the Turkis side about a "two states solution" in Cyprus which were reiterated by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan before the UN General Assembly, stressing that such demands cannot be accepted as they would legalise the faits accomplis for the Turkish invasion and occupation. She further underscored the insistence of the Greek Cypriot side for the resumption of talks with a view to reaching a solution in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and European principles and values. 

On her part, Sakellaropulou underlined the fraternal ties between Greece and Cyprus, who continue to fight to reach common goals, as she said. 

While the Greek people is celebrating 50 years since democracy was restored in Greece, they should not forget at the same time Cyprus' unhealed wound. She praised the important achievements of the Cypriot people in the years which followed the Turkish invasion, adding that Cyprus' EU accession with the help of Greece was the top achievement.  

During the meeting, Demetriou and Sakellaropoulou exchanged views over matters of common interest placing an emphasis on the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. They both concluded that there is a need for continued vigilance, as there are no frozen conflict and committed to defending international legality.  

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.