EU leaders' dinner: PT stressed the importance of avoiding provocations in Varosia

Written statement by the Government Spokesman Mr. Kyriakos I. Kousos

The working lunch of the Leaders of the European Union with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, on the topic of discussing the regional challenges has just ended.

The President of the Republic focused on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the increase in tensions observed in recent years.

President Anastasiadis stressed the need to maintain the escalation of tensions in the Cypriot seas, as well as the importance of avoiding provocations in Varosia in violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.

He also referred to the forthcoming illegal visit of the President of Turkey to the occupied areas of Cyprus and the dangers that would be created by any announcement of the creation of new executions.

Regarding the desired form of solution to the Cyprus problem, President Anastasiadis reiterated his stated position for immediate resumption of negotiations with a view to reaching a solution on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. and the principles and values ​​of the Union.

He noted that this position is opposed by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, which, in order to start the process, set as a condition the recognition by the international community of separate Turkish Cypriot sovereignty, while insisting on a two-state solution.

Despite the unacceptable argument of the Turkish side, President Anastasiadis reiterated his readiness to cooperate constructively with the UN Secretary General in the efforts to reunite Cyprus on the basis of the United Nations and thanked his counterparts for their support. solution.

The solution of the Cyprus problem, he added, should primarily be for the benefit of the Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and to respect their human rights in conditions of mutual respect, without the anachronistic system of guarantees and the presence of foreign troops.

For his part, the UN Secretary-General assured that - despite any difficulties - he would continue his efforts to create the right conditions for a meaningful dialogue, on the basis of a clear mandate from the Security Council.