FM Gerapetritis meets Cyprus President Christodoulides

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, who was received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, on Tuesday referred to a historic opportunity for a solution to the Cyprus problem, which presents itself at the present moment with the more active involvement of the EU on the basis of the initiative of the president of Cyprus, and the efforts of the UN, with the aim of solving the Cyprus problem.

Welcoming Gerapetritis to the Presidential Mansion, where the Christodoulides received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece on Tuesday morning during the minister's first official visit abroad after assuming his duties, the Cyprus president wished him every success in his new duties, expressing the belief that the cooperation of the two governments "will continue and be strengthened even more". As he added, "there are common goals, common pursuits. Greece and Cyprus are pillars of stability in the region."

He also noted that Greece and Cyprus are distinguished "by extroversion in their foreign policy and are countries that provide solutions to problems instead of creating them through their behaviour".

On his part, the new foreign minister of Greece pointed out that: "the moments we are living in are indeed historic. The situation is quite difficult, regionally and internationally, the challenges are very big. We should, in the framework of our common understanding and understanding of the way in which our interests should be promoted, ensure that the Cyprus issue receives the just, sustainable solution that we all desire.

"I think it is yet another historic opportunity to try, in the context of the UN and the EU, which seems to be taking on a more active role thanks to your own personal efforts and the support of the Prime Minister of Greece. I think the times will show that it is a great challenge, but also a great opportunity."