Cyprus at same table with Turkey after 43 years
Responsible decisions and initiatives have allowed Cyprus to be at the same table with Turkey for “the first time in 43 years,” President Nicos Anastasiades said on Tuesday night, about the conference on Cyprus.
He added: “We are at the same table with Turkey and discussing for the first time the abolishment of guarantees and our liberation from the occupying army.”
The President said that no one should be concerned about Cyprus abandoning its core values.
Regarding criticism from political parties, President Anastasiades said “during these critical times,” there needs to be unity to “free our country from the occupation, reunite it, create the conditions for peaceful coexistence with our compatriots, and finally live with that this country will have prospects and a future.
“Some say – and I want to comment on this without criticism – that the Republic of Cyprus is in danger. The Republic of Cyprus is not in danger, aside from occupation, and not through its participation in the dialogue, not through its participation in international organisations dealing and related to the settlement of the Cyprus problem,” he said.
He added that the role of the President is not undermined, when “he represents his country and the Greek Cypriot community.”
In the meantime, a new round of the Conference on Cyprus has begun at a specialist level in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland, to discuss the security and guarantees chapter of the Cyprus issue.
Asked to comment on the specialist discussion between the three guarantor powers (Greece, Turkey, and the UK) and the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides, government spokesperson Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday that discussions would begin at 12:30pm (Cyprus time), and that bilateral meetings were held by the Republic’s team and the British and Greek representation.
“We are in full coordination with the Greek government on the process as well as issues of substance,” Christodoulides said.
He added that discussions are expected to give answers to specific questions that generally deal with the security and guarantees chapter, so that a “working paper” can be developed to allow the discussions at a political level to have prospects for a result.
Christodoulides said that discussions are expected to end on Friday and that the government will make a statement following the specialist level meetings.
TURKISH CRITICISM
Asked to comment on statements from the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side, Christodoulides said that many statements are being made, but that now “we are at the negotiating table and seriousness must characterise all of us.”
He added that the process is not dependent on the statements being made.
“Surely, statements have their own symbolism, can help and create issues in the dialogue,” he said.
However, the government spokesperson said that statements will not drive the result, “but rather that we are now at the same table, across from the Turkish representatives, to discuss. And the results of that discussion will largely indicate how the process can continue.”
FRIDAY
Asked if Friday’s results will determine the future of the process, Christodoulides said: “Not necessarily, because a discussion on a technical level cannot determine the entirety of the process. It is an important discussion, as it is a working group meeting after it was recommended by the UN Secretary General, and it has its importance, and role, but the important decisions will be made on a political level.”
Regarding whether or not the political level meeting would be dependent on the results of specialist meetings, Christodoulides said that the goal is to hold the conference on a political level.
He added that the results of the specialist level meetings will judge “how close we are, at the end of the day.”
However, he said that the technical teams cannot make decisions on the future of the process of the substance of the discussion. “This will be done at a political level,” he said.
Asked about discussions to continue in Cyprus, Christodoulides said that the goal is to complete the process in Switzerland and then to continue the rest of the discussion on the other chapters of the Cyprus issue on the island.
Representatives of Greece, Turkey, and the UK are meeting in Mont Pelerin alongside Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Ozdil Nami to discuss the security and guarantees issue.
The EU is also present at the discussions as an observer.
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
- 1) Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
- 2) Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
- 3) Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
- 4) Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
22/04 22:33
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
22/04 21:25
22/04 20:37
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
22/04 18:29
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
22/04 13:40
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
19/03 20:57
19/03 20:25
FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy
19/03 11:15
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
18/03 22:20
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
Ministers: Central Greece Road (E65) section to Kalabaka nearly complete
8th Delphi Economic Forum to be held in Central Greece on April 26-29
Greek supermarkets record rise in value and decline in volume of FMCG sales
DEFEA Conference to be held at Stavros Niarchos Foundation in Athens on May 15
Bill for non-state, non-profit universities being tabled in Greek Parliament on Thursday
Minister: Greece to support Bulgaria and Romania in joining the Schengen zone
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
30th Agrotica inauguration: Agriculture Minister issues invitation to farmers to sit at talks
Greek Minister of Culture: Revenues from visitors to the Athens Acropolis rise in 2023
Foreign Minister visiting Washington DC for Greece-US strategic dialogue
Greek Tourism Minister concludes meetings with luxury travel officials in New York
Sailing from ports of Piraeus and Lavrio back to normal after high-velocity winds end