In these days of coming spring there is reason to look to the future with some optimism German President Frank- Walter Steinmeier said Monday evening, welcoming at the same time, President Christodoulides’ ‘sincere commitment to move forward on the Cyprus issue’.
Speaking at a state banquet hosted by President Christodoulides in his honor, at the Presidential Palace, the German President noted that the
appointment of the new personal envoy of the UNSG ‘is an important step to reinvigorate the UN-led talks and overcome the stalemate of the recent years’.
‘Germany stands ready to support the UN in its process. The German Government decided to send German police officers to join the peace keeping mission for the first time’, Steinmeier pointed out.
Addressing President Christodoulides, the German President said that they both served their countries as Foreign Ministers in the past, adding that he is well aware of the great experience of the international network that President Christodoulides brings with him
to the Presidency.
‘At the same time you are an accomplished academic who continued to publish on the history of the Cyprus issue well into your active political life. I believe that in times like this we need such scholar statesmen who can envision a better future and find ways to actually get there. You can count on Germany to be at your country’s side,’ President Steinmeier also said.
He noted that even if this is the first ever visit by a German President, he personally knows Cyprus quite well, not only because he has good friends here but primarily because the situation on the island was always a key issue during his long years as Foreign Minister, ‘sometimes with great hope, other times with bitter disappointment when solutions that seemed within reach did not materialize’.
‘But even more vividly I remember the strength shown by the people of Cyprus who are dealing with the challenges of a difficult neighbourhood and despite obstacles are persistently working for a better future for the coming genera
tions’, the German President said.
He added that we live in times of conflict and times of challenge, pointing out that «this year’s European elections are decisive to find solutions to our common challenges such as migration and to refute antidemocratic voices,» noting that «together we call on Cypriot and German citizens to go out and vote and take part in shaping the European future.»
In his toast at the banquet, the President of the Republic said that Steinmeier’s visit to Cyprus is the first visit by a Federal President of Germany since the establishment of Cyprus-Germany diplomatic relations in 1960.
He spoke once again of a historic event of significant symbolism, which stands as a substantial milestone of the relations between the two countries.
President Christodoulides said that he is also truly pleased that they are witnessing increased contacts and exchanges between the two countries at all levels, describing this ‘as another testament to our common desire to further reinforce our substantial
cooperation, both at bilateral and European level’.
He said that earlier they had a very productive meeting and exchanged views on several issues concerning the bilateral relations, their common European agenda, regional issues as well as the Cyprus problem.
‘I am very pleased to say that during our deliberations we have confirmed that our countries see eye to eye on several important issues.
The rich histories and cultural identities of Germany and Cyprus are unique pieces that form the intricate European mosaic. Our countries, together with the other 25 Member States, are an integral part of our common European home, the European Union’, he noted.
In his toast the President also noted that this year we mark 20 years since the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union.
He said that this anniversary and this visit by the President of Germany, are an opportunity to celebrate our European identity, to reflect on all that we have jointly achieved these 20 years in reinforcing our Union and t
o set new goals for the future, in order to fulfill our common aspiration for an even stronger and more integrated European Union.
?e also said that this year we will also mark 50 years since the illegal Turkish invasion, adding that during their meeting but also during our visit to the Green Line, he reassured President Steinmeier of his firm commitment to work for the reunification of Cyprus.
“My vision is that Nicosia will soon stop being the last divided capital of Europe and that all Cypriots will be able to prosper in a reunified Cyprus, Member State of the EU. In this vein, I have thanked President Steinmeier for the stance and support of his country for the solution of the Cyprus Problem based on the relevant Security Council resolutions and, of course, the values and principles of the EU’, the President also noted.
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.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
ISTANBUL: Egypt on Monday slammed statements by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich holding Egypt responsible for Hamas’ Oct. 7 cross-border attacks against Israel.
In a statement, Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid described Smotrich’s statements as “totally unacceptable (and) irresponsible.”
He added that the remarks “only reveal a hunger for killing and destruction, and sabotage of any attempt to contain the crisis in the Gaza Strip.”
Speaking to his right-wing Religious Zionist Party, Smotrich said Egypt “bore considerable responsibility for what happened on Oct. 7.”
He also urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to send an Israeli security delegation to Egypt to attend a meeting on the war.
Israeli public broadcaster KAN said Israel intends to send a delegation on Tuesday to Cairo to attend a meeting scheduled to be attended by Egyptian Intelligence Director Abbas Kamel, US CIA Director William Burns, and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to
discuss a possible prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas.
Israel believes there are 134 Israelis held in Gaza, after the Israeli army had managed early on Monday to free two Israelis held in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.
Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, killing at least 28,340 people and injuring 67,984 others, while nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.
The Israeli onslaught has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure was damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.
Source: Anadolu Agency