Madrid: The new Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Spain, Michalis Ioannou, presented his credentials to King Felipe VI on November 11, highlighting Madrid’s principled stance on the Cyprus issue.
According to Cyprus News Agency, during a subsequent meeting, Ambassador Ioannou conveyed warm greetings from President Nikos Christodoulides and extended heartfelt condolences and solidarity from the Cypriot people over the recent deadly floods that affected Valencia and other regions of Spain.
Ambassador Ioannou expressed gratitude to King Felipe for Spain’s principled stance on the Cyprus problem, briefing him on the latest developments and the efforts of President Christodoulides to resume negotiations. He reaffirmed Cyprus’s commitment to achieving a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as outlined in relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and in full compliance with international law.
The meeting also included an extensive exchange of views on the bi
lateral relations between Cyprus and Spain and explored opportunities for further strengthening ties. Discussions covered a range of international and regional issues, focusing on the shared challenges faced by the two countries due to their geographic positions and their status as EU member states.
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.