Pandemic and the resumption of flights, the Cyprus issue ahead of the Geneva meeting, the Balkans` EU course and other issues of mutual interest were on the agenda of a meeting the Foreign Ministers of Cyprus, Serbia and Greece had on Monday in Belgrade.
The Ministers made statements to the press following the meeting and according to a press release by the Cyprus MFA, Minister Nikos Christodoulides said that they had the chance to assess the possibilities for further enhancement of the strong ties between the three countries.
He noted that the three countries want to set up a positive agenda for the interest of their people and with the aim to secure stability and prosperity in the West Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean. The Minister expressed his belief that the contacts and cooperation in the next period will be increased and results will be visible in specific sectors.
As regards the pandemic Christodoulides said that he briefed the Ministers on the latest decisions taken by Cyprus on the resumption of flights that will boost the tourist arrivals, noting that citizens from countries such as Serbia can now travel to the island with a negative PCR test.
The Ministers also discussed issues related to migration influxes and energy, pointing out the interest shown by Serbia as regards the energy developments in the region.
He noted that the enhancement of economic cooperation through joint actions and the financial diplomacy can benefit the countries, adding that they agreed to organize a Forum that will bring together the business communities.
Christodoulides spoke of the upcoming Geneva meeting noting that the aim is to resume talks from where they were left at Crans Montana in the summer of 2017 for a comprehensive solution that will reunite the island in a bizonal, bicommunal federation, based on the UN resolutions, the international law and the EU values that will also terminate the anachronistic systems and structures that have no position in the 21st century.
The FM underlined the importance of the participation of the EU in the Geneva meeting as well as the need to maintain the right environment away from provocative actions.
As regards the EU course of the Balkans the Minister said that Cyprus supports Serbia`s EU course and reassured its will to assist in any way. He also repeated Cyprus` position on Kosovo.
Earlier the Minister signed an MoU with the Minister of Youth and Sports. Christodoulides said that the MoU enhnaces the framework of bilateral cooperation between Cyprus and Serbia.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Numerous UN-backed talks to reunite the island in a bizonal, bicommunal federation, have failed to yield results. The latest round took place in the summer of 2017 in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana.
The UN Secretary General has called for a fresh meeting on Cyprus to take place in Geneva on April 27-29.