The Cyprus issue and efforts to resume the peace talks, the latest provocations by Turkey, the Ukrainian crisis and Brexit were on the agenda of a meeting Annita Demetriou, House of Representatives President had on Tuesday with Sean O Ferghail, the Chairperson of the lower house of the Irish Parliament.
Ó Ferghaíl and MPs Brendan Howlin and Ruairi O Murchu are paying Cyprus an official visit at the invitation of Demetriou.
During the meeting House President said that the visit is unfortunately overshadowed by the tragic loss of Cyprus Labour Minister and referred to her as a beacon of ethos, professionalism and hard work who was always by the side of the most vulnerable.
Ó Ferghaíl expressed his condolences to the government, the Parliament and the people of Cyprus over the passing of the Minister.
During the meeting both sides referred to the close relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual principles and characteristics as islands in the European family.
They said that the improved picture as regards the pandemic will allow the enhancement of the cooperation.
Demetriou thanked the Irish counterpart for the principled stance as regards the Cyprus issue and the solution and the support in the UN Peacekeeping force in Cyprus.
She noted that the consequences of the Turkish invasion are still visible on the island and the recent provocations in Famagusta are another violation of the international law and the UN resolutions.
Ó Ferghaíl pledged support for a Cyprus solution on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation and thanked Cyprus for its stance as regards Brexit. He noted that Ireland, like Cyprus, has suffered the consequences of division and of losing human lives, therefore peace and unity in Ireland must be protected.
They also said that all sides need to return to the negotiating table to find a solution to the Ukrainian crisis saying that dialogue is the only way to reach peace.
Demetriou said that Cypriots can very much identify with the drama of the refugees in Ukraine asking the international community to be ready to deal with the consequences of the war.
She also said that unity and solidarity in the EU as regards Ukraine must prevail.
During the meeting they also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest such as climate crisis and the participation of youth and women in politics.
Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Numerous rounds of talks, under the UN aegis, with the aim to reunite the island have failed to yield results.
Source: Cyprus News Agency