Georgia`s President Salome Zourabichvili has reconfirmed her country`s principled position on the Cyprus problem in a meeting she had with House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou, in the context of an official visit she is paying Nicosia. On her part Demetriou expressed her appreciation for this position and underlined the Greek Cypriot side`s commitment in the resumption of talks to reach a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem, which will guarantee peace and stability conditions for all Cypriots.
“The very close ties of friendship between Cyprus and Georgia, based on their common historical, cultural and religious heritage were noted during the meeting,” a House of Representatives press release says.
“Demetriou expressed her appreciation for the principled position of Georgia on the solution of the Cyprus problem,” it adds. At the same time, she expressed Cyprus` solidarity about the challenges faced by the people of Georgia, on the basis of international law principles and her support of the Geneva International Talks process.
It is further added that Demetriou noted Turkish escalating provocations in the Republic of Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the new faits accomplis Turkey tries to create, particularly in the fenced-off part of Turkish occupied Famagusta, known as Varosha.
She underlined, the press release says, “the Greek Cypriot side`s commitment to the resumption of talks to reach a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem, which will guarantee peace and stability conditions for all Cypriots.”
Demetriou also reconfirmed the support of Cyprus in further enhancing EU – Georgia relations and stressed the significance of solidarity between states and of enhancing democratic institutions, including the participation of women in politics and in the context of parliamentary diplomacy.
On her part, Georgia`s President “reconfirmed her country`s principled position on the Cyprus problem.”
She noted, the press release adds, that her first official visit to Cyprus, marks a new era in the relations and cooperation between Cyprus and Georgia in areas of common interest, including the parliamentary one.
“Reaching long term conditions of peace, stability and cooperation in the long-suffering region of South Caucasus constitutes a top priority for Georgia,” Zourabichvili said, expressing her country`s wish for a more active EU presence in the region.
During the meeting, the additional value of inter-parliamentary dialogue and parliamentary diplomacy in promoting relations and cooperation between the two states and peoples was underlined during the meeting, the press release reads.
In this context the House President expressed her intention to further enhance exchanges between the two parliaments.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Numerous rounds of talks under the UN aegis to reunite the island under a federal roof failed to yield results.
Source: Cyprus News Agency