A just and viable solution for the Cyprus issue based on international law would create conditions of stability, peace, and economic growth throughout the eastern Mediterranean, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said during a meeting in Athens with UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar.
Holguín Cuéllar was in Athens as part of a first round of meetings aimed at reigniting negotiations towards the resolution of the Cyprus issue.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis during his meeting in Athens with UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar (L).
Gerapetritis underlined the importance that Greece places on resuming negotiations, clarifying however, that these should be held on the basis of “the bi-zonal, bicommunal federation and within the framework established by relevant UN Security Council resolutions”.
The minister went on to add that the Cyprus issue was a “matter of highest priority for Greece” and that efforts were ongoing towards the resumption of a dialogue for a fair and sustainable solution.
Holguín Cuéllar’s visit comes after a meeting on Monday in Ankara between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. Mitsotakis noted that in addition to “proven disagreements”, the two countries “can chart a parallel page of agreements”. Erdogan said there were “no unsolvable problems” between the two neighbors despite repeated provocations, including an arbitrary decision to reopen the Chora Monastery in Istanbul, an UNESCO World Heritage site, as a mosque.
