solution. “The aggressive attitude against Cyprus, as well as the formulation of threats against Cyprus must stop immediately”, he said.
Avramopoulos, who is making his first visit abroad under his new capacity, met on Sunday afternoon with his Cypriot counterpart, Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, while a meeting of the delegations of the two sides followed afterwards.
Turkey makes a strategic mistake by not realizing that Cyprus’ participation in the EU and the discoveries of natural resources are a strong incentive for the quick solution of the Cyprus problem, Foreign Minister of Greece Dimitris Avramopoulos said on SundayIn her statements after the meeting, Marcoullis said that Avramopoulos is the first official guest of Cyprus, on day one of the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU by Nicosia.
The Cyprus Foreign Minister also noted that the two sides discussed an array of issues, including Cyprus EU Presidency priorities, the Eurozone crisis, the Cyprus problem, Turkish threats against Cyprus concerning its EEZ and Turkey’s EU accession course.
Marcoullis further thanked her Greek counterpart, as well as the Greek government, for providing technical assistance to Cyprus, while preparing for the EU Presidency.
Avramopoulos referred also to the landmark date of the launch of Cyprus’ EU Presidency term, coinciding with his visit on the island and said he was certain Cyprus would leave its mark in Europe during the next six months
He added that the two sides also discussed the latest developments in the EU, following the last European Council, as well as the situation in Syria and the wider Middle East.
The Minister said moreover that Athens will continue to stand by the side of Cyprus and that despite economic difficulties, Greece continues to be a strong stability factor in the wider region.
On the Cyprus problem, Avramopoulos noted that ending the Turkish occupation of Cyprus and finding a comprehensive, agreed solution to the problem is the top priority of Greek foreign policy and a key to normalizing Greek-Turkish relations.
Such a solution, he went on, should be just, viable and functioning, and be based on UN resolutions, EU principles and on the acquis.
Asked on the decisions of the last European Council, Marcoullis said they were important and that EU countries, especially in the south, should be able to benefit from them. In his reply, Avramopoulos said the Greek government is also evaluating these positive conclusions.
Earlier, the Greek Foreign Minister laid wreath to the graves of Greek Cypriots hung by the British during the 1950’s anti-colonial struggle, and paid his respects at the “Tomb of Makedonitissa”, the war memorial and military cemetery where many Greeks and Greek Cypriots who died during the 1974 Turkish invasion are buried.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. A new round of peace talks started on September 2008 to find a negotiated settlement that will reunify the country, under a federal roof.
Ankara has threatened Cyprus, when Nicosia launched on September 2011 its exploration activities within its EEZ and announced earlier this year a second round of licensing for off-shore hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation within the Republic’s Economic Exclusive Zone.
The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources.