The Cyprus issue and the Turkish provocations, bilateral cooperation and the Swedish presidency of the Council of the EU were on the agenda of the meeting the President of Parliament, Annita Demetriou, had on Thursday with the new Ambassador of Sweden, Martin Hagström.
A press release by the House says that Demetriou expressed her confidence that the cordial cooperation of the House of Representatives with the Embassy of Sweden will continue for the further strengthening of relations and cooperation, especially between the parliaments of the two countries, in areas of common interest.
She expressed sincere thanks for Sweden’s principled position regarding the Cyprus problem and its long-standing contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. The Swedish Ambassador reaffirmed his country’s principled position and support for the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, noting in particular the contribution of the Swedish Embassy in the promotion of interreligious dialogue.
The President of the Parliament pointed out that the multiple challenges Europe is faced with need to be tackled collectively in a spirit of solidarity and unity.
She also criticized Turkey’s increasing provocations and illegal actions against Cyprus, especially in the fenced off town of Famagusta, the further militarization of the occupied areas and as regards the illegal migrants from Turkey to the occupied areas and then to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus.
House President underlined the unwavering commitment of the Greek Cypriot side to the resumption of negotiations to find a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue and to reunite the island in conditions of peace and security.
Referring to Sweden’s assumption of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2023, Hagström noted as the main priorities of the Swedish Presidency the protection of the environment, the promotion of gender equality, tackling the energy and climate crisis in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the strengthening of the EU’s role in the world and EU competitiveness.
The President of the House informed the Ambassador about the initiatives and actions of the House of Representatives and herself, to strengthen the current legislative framework for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Demetriou noted that Cyprus is the first country in the world to pass a law making femicide a distinct crime punishable by an up-to lifetime jail sentence, it has criminalized sexism and sexism spread online.
After the meeting, the President of the Parliament and the President of the House Environment Committee Charalambos Theopemptou visited with Hagström the exhibition of the Swedish Embassy, on sustainable waste management, which is hosted in the Parliament building.
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