As a victim of invasion and continuous occupation of part of its territory from Turkey, Cyprus remains committed to principles and has shown tangible solidarity with the suffering people of Ukraine on the basis of principles, Cyprus House President, Annita Demetriou, said during a private meeting with the Acting President of the Japan – Cyprus Friendship Group in the Japanese parliament, Seiichiro Murakami, and the members of the Friendship Group, Eto Seishiro and Kokuba Konosuke.
Demetriou who concluded on Wednesday a visit to Japan, also noted that the House of Representatives was one of the first parliaments which unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to a House press release, Demetriou conveyed in the framework of the meeting the sincere condolences of herself, the Cyprus government and the House of Representatives for the tragic death of the former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe.
During the meeting it was noted that Cyprus and Japan have completed sixty years of diplomatic relations and are committed to common principles and values.
Demetriou and Murakami expressed their interest in further enhancing the interparliamentary cooperation between Cyprus and Japan, especially by intensifying exchanges between the friendship groups at the two countries’ parliaments, as well as in the framework of strengthening the interstate cooperation in fields of mutual interest, as shipping, energy, tourism and trade, the press release noted.
As regards the Cyprus problem, Demetriou criticised the escalating offensive stance of Turkey and its illegal actions against the Republic of Cyprus. She stressed that her vision is to have a free and reunited Cyprus that will constitute an example of peaceful co-existence and prosperity for all of its citizens and a pillar of stability, peace, security and progress in the broader region.
According to the press release, Demetriou and Murakami commended the very significant role of parliamentary diplomacy in finding collective solutions to address common challenges, as the repercussions of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and especially energy, climate and food crises.
They also underlined the importance of developing cooperation at the international level, with a view to terminate hostilities, secure the protection of human rights and promote equal opportunities for both genders.
Demetriou returns to Cyprus on Thursday.
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.
Source: Cyprus News Agency