Nicosia: 'Yiannos Kranidiotis, a visionary politician and distinguished diplomat, served the national interests with consistency and selflessness and was an emblematic figure in the shared course of Hellenism in Greece and Cyprus,' notes the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others, in a statement on Monday marking 27 years since the late diplomat's passing.

According to Cyprus News Agency, the Greek Foreign Ministry emphasized that Kranidiotis was a pioneer of European integration and a staunch advocate of European ideals. He played a decisive role in the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union, leaving a lasting impact on the country's European trajectory.

The statement noted that as talks for the settlement of the Cyprus issue under the United Nations are considered once again, Kranidiotis' diplomatic legacy continues to act as a significant guide for Greek foreign policy. The ministry highlighted the ongoing unity and determination of Greece and Cyprus in their efforts to achieve a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue, as well as to tackle shared regional and global challenges effectively.

The words of Yiannos Kranidiotis remain pertinent: 'We are fully aware of our national rights and we assert them firmly. We have nothing to fear from engaging in dialogue with anyone, whether friend or adversary. We have confidence in our strengths, our capabilities and the clarity of our arguments.'

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. Multiple rounds of UN-led peace talks have yet to produce results, with the latest round of negotiations in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ending without conclusion.