Nicosia: The President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, discussed further cooperation strengthening between Brazil and Cyprus in the areas of trade and investment during her meeting on Monday with the new Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Brazil to Cyprus, Ana Maria de Souza Bierrenbach.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the meeting highlighted the traditionally friendly relations between Cyprus and Brazil, based on common principles and values, and their shared desire to further promote these relations, particularly at the parliamentary level, through enhanced cooperation and exchanges. In this context, Demetriou expressed her certainty that the recent establishment of corresponding Friendship Groups in the two parliaments will contribute positively in this direction.
As stated, the House President expressed her appreciation for Brazil’s principled stance on the Cyprus problem and efforts to resolve it, based on international law and the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
She also underlined the Greek Cypriot side’s commitment to the goal of resuming negotiations to achieve a solution that will lead to the reunification of Cyprus, expressing the hope that the next enlarged meeting will yield tangible results, while stressing at the same time, that the Turkish demand for a “two-state” solution is outside the agreed framework and will never be accepted.
It is noted that, for her part, the Brazilian Ambassador reaffirmed her country’s firm principled stance on the Cyprus issue and on efforts to resolve it.
In addition, she referred to Cyprus’ strategic position and the upcoming assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union by the Republic of Cyprus, emphasizing that the Cypriot Presidency is an important opportunity to further strengthen Brazil-Cyprus cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, as well as for further promoting cooperation between the EU and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). She expressed hope that the Free Trade Agreement will be concluded soon, possibly during the Cyprus Presidency.
Finally, views were exchanged on issues of mutual interest, such as strengthening women’s representation in politics and the economic challenges facing citizens around the world, which, as was emphasized, require collective and decisive action based on cooperation and solidarity, the statement concludes.
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.