His support for the ongoing talks on the Cyprus issue expressed after his meeting with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the Greek Prime Minister.
Alexis Tsipras said that the talks are at a critical point and stressed that a just and viable solution can be reached only on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions and the status of Cyprus as a member state of the European Union. As he said this is the only solution that will make the people of Cyprus, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, feel secure, a solution without occupation troops and anachronistic institutions, such as guarantees.
Tsipras said also that he discussed with Mr. Ban Ki-moon the great importance of the policy of bilateral and tripartite cooperation of Greece and Cyprus with countries of the eastern Mediterranean to safeguard peace and stability in the region. As he said they both agreed that respect for international law and the principle of good neighborliness are the only solid basis for promoting these relations.
Taking the floor, the UN Secretary General said that he discussed with Tsipras the progress made in the talks between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. Talks that, as he said, are facilitated by the Special Adviser to the Secretary – General on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide. He stressed that he welcomes the commitment of the two leaders in their joint statement last month, to reach a solution within the year. Concluding, he thanked Greece for its high level support to these talks.
Cyprus issue can only be solved on the basis of UN resolutions and the Cyprus status as an EU member, Tsipras
