Athens: Greece's Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis reaffirmed on Friday that Cyprus remains a core and enduring priority of Greek foreign policy, stressing Athens' full political and diplomatic backing for the Republic of Cyprus at a time when, he said, it is facing hybrid threats.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Gerapetritis emphasized Greece's unwavering support for Cyprus in his address to the Hellenic Parliament. He highlighted that Greece stands firmly alongside Cyprus and remains committed to United Nations-led efforts for a just and viable settlement of the Cyprus issue, adhering to UN Security Council resolutions.
Gerapetritis stated, "Cyprus has always been the most important pillar of our foreign policy. It is an immediate and major national priority, and it will never be abandoned." He noted that informal talks on the Cyprus issue, which had stalled after the collapse of negotiations at Crans-Montana, have resumed during the current term and are already yielding results.
The Greek Foreign Minister also underscored the strategic importance of the planned electricity interconnection between Greece and Cyprus. He described it as a project of major geopolitical and energy significance that would help lift Cyprus' energy isolation and contribute to regional stability, asserting Greece's full support for the project.
Gerapetritis announced plans to travel to Nicosia on Saturday for the funeral of former Cypriot president Giorgos Vassiliou, whom he regarded as a significant political figure with a lasting legacy. Additionally, he will visit Egypt on Sunday for a trilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of Cyprus and Egypt.
He reiterated Greece's commitment to keeping Cyprus at the forefront of its foreign policy agenda, particularly as the island faces a hybrid attack linked to its current presidency of the Council of the EU.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Despite repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks, a resolution has not been achieved due to Turkish intransigence. The latest negotiations at Crans-Montana in July 2017 ended without a conclusion.
In 2025, the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, one in March in Geneva and another in July in New York, along with a tripartite meeting with Cyprus leaders at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week.