Bratislava:House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou engaged in discussions with her Maltese and Lithuanian counterparts regarding the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and Turkish actions in the Eastern Mediterranean. These meetings took place separately in Bratislava on Thursday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Demetriou met with Speaker of the Maltese House of Representatives Carmelo Abela and Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament Juozas Olekas during a gathering of Speakers from the Visegrad Group and Friends of Cohesion countries, hosted by Slovakia's National Council on November 12-13.
During the meetings, Demetriou briefed her counterparts on the recent trilateral meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, facilitated by the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin. The discussions included an agreement to open two new crossing points and the potential for another trilateral meeting involving the UN Secretary-General, aimed at preparing for an expanded 5+1 meeting.
Demetriou emphasized the Greek Cypriot side's commitment to resuming negotiations for a bizonal, bicommunal federation, in line with UN Security Council resolutions and EU principles. In her discussion with Abela, both speakers reaffirmed their nations' close ties and the intention to enhance parliamentary cooperation, with Abela reiterating Malta's support for a Cyprus settlement within the agreed UN framework.
The meetings also addressed shared challenges facing Cyprus and Malta, such as energy isolation and the rising cost of living. Demetriou expressed concern over Turkish actions affecting Cyprus and Greece, particularly regarding the Great Sea Interconnector project.
In her conversation with Olekas, Demetriou extended congratulations to Lithuania for its upcoming EU Council Presidency in 2027 and discussed the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034. They emphasized the need for robust European defense and security while maintaining funding for agriculture and cohesion policies.
Demetriou also highlighted Turkey's activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Turkish-Libyan memorandum, calling for European solidarity and adherence to international law. She criticized Turkey's participation in the SAFE defense instrument as unacceptable due to its occupation of European territory and linked EU-Turkey Customs Union prospects to Ankara meeting its obligations towards Cyprus.
Olekas shared Lithuania's priorities for its EU Presidency, focusing on security, defense, and the European perspective for Western Balkan countries. Both speakers underscored the need to strengthen public trust in democratic institutions and expressed concern over the rise of extremist ideologies. Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. Despite numerous UN-led peace talks, a resolution remains elusive. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres plans to convene another meeting in a broader format, with Maria Angela Holguín engaging with the parties and Raffaele Fitto acting as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus.