Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou participated in a Diaspora Meeting between Cyprus, Greece and Egypt in Cairo during which it was emphasized that the three countries share long and excellent ties and that they are pillars of stability, peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
A press release issued Monday by the Cyprus presidency says that the tripartite meeting took place in the framework of the wider cooperation and the Memorandum of Cooperation of the three countries on Diaspora issues, in the presence of Commissioner Photiou, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece for Diaspora Affairs Andreas Katsaniotis and the Minister of Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Soha Gendy.
During the meeting, reference was made from all three sides, to the enduring relations of Cyprus-Greece-Egypt and to the friendly ties over the centuries.
Photiou said that the tripartite cooperation on Diaspora issues further strengthens the already excellent relations of the three countries, both on a bilateral and a tripartite level.
He stated that the common pursuit of all three sides is the continuation of cooperation on these issues, since it brings our peoples abroad closer, maintains their ties with their countries of origin and creates strong bonds of friendship and cooperation.
Reference was made to the successful NOSTOS program, which has been carried out so far in Alexandria, London, Melbourne, Cyprus, Greece and Egypt. It was decided to continue this program with new initiatives, emphasizing on the youth of the Diaspora.
As regards the Cyprus problem Photiou pointed out that there is an impasse due to Turkey’s revisionist attitude and hegemonic approach.
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.
Source: Cyprus News Agency