PM Tsipras: Greece, Cyprus Are United by History and The Struggle for The Future

Greece and Cyprus are united by the history of the Greeks and the struggle for the future, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told the Cypriot Parliament on Monday and called on Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades to "stand on Greece’s side in its struggle within Europe for the creation of the conditions for growth and prosperity in Greece and all the people of Europe." 

The premier reassured the parliament that efforts to find a just and viable solution to Cyprus’ issue is a common goal and added he started his European tour from Nicosia because the two countries are also "united in their effort to uphold international law in the region which has been flagrantly violated by Turkey in an effort to create faits accomplis." 

Tsipras said the Cyprus issue is an open issue of invasion and occupation and noted that Cyprus’ as well as Greece’s security and international standing depend on its resolution. He also said a just a viable solution to Cyprus’ issue, based on the decisions of the United Nations, forms a main crucial aspect of Greece’s foreign policy. 

To this end, Athens supports talks "that aim at transforming the Cypriot Republic into a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with a single international presence, a single sovereignty and a single citizenship." 

"The channels of diplomatic communication with Ankara must remain open," he noted and added the Turkish-Cypriot leadership must make an effort to resolve the problem without following Turkey’s provocative actions.