Mitsotakis and Christodoulidis coordinate in view of difficult decisions: In Athens today the 1st Intergovernmental Summit of Cyprus and Greece

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulidis, participated in the work of the International Humanitarian Conference on Civilians in Gaza, Paris, Thursday, November 9, 2023. APE-ME, PRESS OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIMITRIS PAPAMITSOS

In Athens it takes place today, Friday, November 10, the 1st Intergovernmental Summit of Cyprus and Greece, as the leaders of the two countries will soon be called upon to make difficult decisions regarding both the Cyprus issue and the course of relations with occupying Turkey.

The goal of the Synod is to strengthen bilateral cooperation and coordination between the two countries, with an emphasis on the exchange of best practices between Nicosia and Athens in the entire spectrum of governmental work.

We note that in December, if Tayyip Erdogan does not change his decision, the meeting between Greece and Turkey will be held with the aim of improving Greek-Turkish relations.

Nine Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Cypriot Government are participating in the Summit, which is being chaired by the President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulidis and the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who will hold bilateral sessions with their Greek counterparts.

On Friday morning, bilateral sessions of Cypriot Ministers and Deputy Ministers will be held with their Greek counterparts, in the respective Ministries, in the presence of officials to draw up targets and timetables with specific milestones, depending on their portfolios.

Among the issues expected to be discussed in the framework of the Synod include, among others, the effective management of immigration, the strengthening of civil protection, the further deepening of defense cooperation, energy planning, further cooperation in school and higher education, the upgrading collaborations in the fields of health, culture and shipping, as well as best practices in the coordination of government work.

After the conclusion of the bilateral meetings, at 12 noon, the Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the two countries will proceed to the Plenary Session of the Synod, under the chairmanship of President Christodoulidis and Prime Minister Mitsotakis, during which the issues discussed in the separate sessions on the making final decisions.

At the end of the Plenary, statements will be made by the President of the Republic and the Greek Prime Minister.

We note that the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hosted a dinner in honor of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, yesterday, Thursday, November 9.

The dinner was served at 20:30, at the Maximos Palace, in view of the 1st Supreme Council of Cooperation between Greece and the Republic of Cyprus.

It is now clear that the two leaders maintain close cooperation for the good of both countries and Hellenism in general.

The position and relations of Cyprus shield the Gaza Initiative

Active diplomacy, the utilization of Cyprus’ geographical position and the excellent diplomatic relations with the states of the region, are essential components of strengthening and shielding the Cyprus Initiative for Gaza, says Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letympiotis.

In his post on the ‘X’ platform, he notes that the President of the Republic is presenting the initiative to create a maritime corridor through Cyprus for the uninterrupted, safe provision of humanitarian aid with a final destination in Gaza, at the Conference taking place today in Paris.

“Active diplomacy, the utilization of the geographical position of our country, our credibility as a member state of the EE and the excellent diplomatic relations with the states of the region, are essential components of strengthening and shielding the initiative” concludes the Representative.

We strongly support the Cyprus proposal for a maritime corridor, says Mr. Mitsotakis

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed Greece’s fervent support for the Cypriot proposal to create a sea corridor to Gaza, in his intervention at the International Humanitarian Conference for Civilians in Gaza, which is being held in Paris.

Speaking of a well thought out proposal, Mr. Mitsotakis noted that Greece has discussed extensively with Cyprus their coordination in this direction. He emphasized, at the same time, that if the security conditions are met, Greece will provide the coastal means to assist in the plan.

“We strongly support what President Christodoulidis said regarding the provision of increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, which only one ship can carry. The Cypriot proposal is well thought out”, stressed Mr. Mitsotakis.

At the same time, he estimated that “the most difficult aspect is to determine a suitable disembarkation zone in southern Gaza, to create the necessary port infrastructure and, of course, to ensure the safety of the route, which will require the cooperation of all involved.”

“If these conditions are met, Greece will be ready to provide coastal means to assist in this project and look forward to logistical assistance from all involved, especially those who know the geography of the area in much greater detail.” , he assured.

“Greece – together with Cyprus – is a country in the immediate neighborhood and we are ready to contribute to every effort to deal with the misery of the people”, pointed out the Greek Prime Minister.

In this context, he also referred to the air shipment of a first shipment of humanitarian aid, to El Arish airport, in which Greece has already proceeded. “Given Greece’s proximity to Sinai, we would be ready to play an important role in this newly established airstrip that could provide aid very quickly, in order for that aid to enter Gaza from the south,” Mr. Mitsotakis explained.

Reiterating his concern about the escalation in recent days, he assessed that it is “necessary to start discussing now a possible political solution to this conflict, which will ultimately be the only possible way to ensure lasting peace in the region ».

“The existence of a Palestinian state is a condition for long-term peace in the region and the two-state solution is the only possible path we can follow to reach this result,” concluded the Greek Prime Minister.

Information from KYPE – Athens, Greece