THESSALONIKI –
“It is important to first mention the fact that the US President, in public, felt the need to reaffirm the basis for a solution to the Cyprus issue, the basis of the UN resolutions, and this is important at a time when we are seeing, from the Turkish side, a different approach to the desired goal”, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Christodoulides said in a statement from Thessaloniki on his trip to the US and his meeting with US President Joe Biden.
“Beyond that, I particularly hold the need, as expressed by the American President – something with which we fully agree – that through the resolution of the Cyprus issue, the Republic of Cyprus can not only continue to play the role it plays today, but that this role should be strengthened even more. And you all understand, I am sure, the importance of this American approach”, Christodoulides underlined in his remarks after the unveiling of the reconstructed bust of EOKA (National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters) hero Kyriakos Matsis and the surrounding area at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
The President of the Republic of Cyprus also said that the invitation of the US President “demonstrates, among many other things, the important role that the Republic of Cyprus plays in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, a region of particular geostrategic importance for both the United States and Europe itself”.
He noted that this was the main topic of discussion during his presence there, but at the same time “how we move forward in further strengthening the Republic of Cyprus’ relations with the United States and how the United States can help so that we achieve our number one goal, which is none other than the end of the occupation as well as reunification of our country”.”.
Christodoulides referred to the half-century of Turkish occupation in Cyprus and stressed that “from our side, with our constant cooperation with the Greek government, our most important partner in this effort, the European Union, our common family – and this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus – but also other powerful actors of the international system, such as the United States, we are doing everything possible to achieve this goal”
[ANA-MPA]
