Cyprus is a national issue for Greece, and neither Cyprus nor Greece could be forced to retreat from the defense of national rights of the Greeks, in Greece, Cyprus and around the world said Greek President Karolos Papoulias, after his meeting Tuesday with the President of the House of Representatives, Yiannakis Omirou, who is paying an official visit to Athens.
President Papoulias has also congratulated the House President on the highly successful, as he said Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, which as he noted “it was a surprise for many.”
He noted however that although Turkey was given the opportunity to cooperate with the Presidency and to show a better image, “unfortunately, he did not.”
The Cypriot House President said that Turkey repeats itself and continues to threaten the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone.
Omirou referred to “Turkey’s message transmitted through the Special Adviser of the UN Secretary General Alexander Downer” that Ankara will not allow the extraction of natural gas from the sea blocks of Cyprus, saying that “it is time for the EU and give some answers, ” as the Law of the Sea is part of the European acquis.
He called on the EU to defend its political credibility. He also stressed that Turkey is a candidate country, in accession negotiations with the EU and refuses to recognize Cyprus EU Presidency, something that is controversial, provocative and a slap for Cyprus, but also for the EU.
Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. It currently holds the six months rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU since 1 July 2012.