Nicosia: "We know what it means to have your homeland divided, we know how difficult it is," President of Moldova Maia Sandu stated during her official visit to Cyprus. President Sandu, alongside Cypriot President Christodoulides, visited the Green Line in Nicosia, a symbolic location that underscores the division of the capital.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Sandu's visit included a meeting at the Presidential Palace where she was welcomed by President Christodoulides. In subsequent press statements, President Christodoulides expressed gratitude for Moldova's consistent support concerning the Cyprus issue. He emphasized Moldova's backing of Cyprus's territorial integrity, independence, and the pursuit of a resolution in line with UN resolutions and EU frameworks.
President Sandu highlighted Moldova's parallel struggles, acknowledging the hardships of a divided homeland. She emphasized the necessity of respecting international law and seeking peaceful solutions to such conflicts. Sandu remarked on the sadness of the situation, advocating for unity and coexistence within countries.
During her visit, Sandu signed the Visitors Book at the Nicosia Municipality, expressing gratitude for the warm reception and emphasizing the city's role as a symbol of history and hope. She expressed aspirations for strengthened cooperation towards peace, dialogue, and a unified European future.
The division of Cyprus dates back to the 1974 Turkish invasion, which resulted in a UN-controlled buffer zone known as the Green Line. This zone stretches 180 km across the island, varying in width from mere meters to several kilometers in different areas of Nicosia.