“I am visiting Cyprus to convey to its people the unreserved support and solidarity of all the democratic political forces represented in the Greek Parliament”. With this assurance, the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr Nikitas Kaklamanis, sent a clear message during his meetings today in the Greater Island with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ms Anita Demetriou. According to a statement by the Greek Parliament, Mr Nikitas Kaklamanis described his visit as a “highly symbolic gesture”. He expressed the conviction that “God will claim me one day, when visiting Cyprus, to visit a united and free Cyprus, without the occupying army.”
At the same time, the President of the Greek Parliament welcomed the activation of Art. 42(7) (EU mutual assistance clause), expressing at the same time the wish that “the awakening of Europe will be permanent and effective in the future and not opportunistic”, on the occasion of the support to Cyprus at the beginning of the crisis in the Middle East.
The presence of the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament in Cyprus is part of the Greek Parliament’s firm will to support the Republic of Cyprus on all major national and geopolitical issues and to further strengthen the institutional ties between the two countries, especially in times of geopolitical instability.
Meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. N. Christodoulides
The President of the Greek Parliament was received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nicos Christodoulides, at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, in a particularly warm atmosphere.
During the meeting Mr. He expressed his satisfaction at the activation of “the notorious Article 42(7), which has been dormant for dozens of years” and, as he said, “the leaders of Europe were always discussing it and even in this bad context of the crisis in the Middle East, it has finally been activated in substance”. He also expressed the hope “although I must tell you that I am not so sure in my heart that it is not a temporary activation, but will be permanent, whenever it is needed – if it is never needed – but that a decision has been taken now, that Cyprus and every Cyprus is a European Union.”
He also referred to the issue of electricity and energy, and asked Mr Christodoulides, as President of the European Council, to exert as much influence as he can in order to draw up a comprehensive plan for dealing with the problem at European level. He also pointed out that in any case, the operational plan for dealing with the issue of accuracy should be characterised by flexibility, as each country has its own specificities.
For his part, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Christodoulides, referred to the issue of energy costs, stressing that “all of us, in cooperation with the Commission, must take some very specific measures in order to deal with the increased cost of energy, measures which will be targeted, for a specific period, constantly assessing the situation.”
Mr. N. Christodoulides accepted the invitation extended to him by the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis, to address the Plenary Session of the Hellenic Parliament on May 14, stressing: “It is a great honour for me, for Cyprus, for the Republic of Cyprus. It is a historic moment and I thank you very much.”
The President of the Republic of Cyprus thanked Greece, on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus and the people of Cyprus, for its immediate response to the events in Cyprus. He also welcomed the activation of Article 42(1) of the Greek Constitution and the European Union’s support for the Greek people. 7 on the EU’s mutual assistance clause, stressing that at the Brussels European Council it was decided “to launch a specific discussion on the operational plan of the European Union when Article 42.7 is activated for a Member State, in the light of what happened in Cyprus and the immediate mobilisation that took place, with Greece of course being the first.”
“Surely war does not solve problems. Diplomacy is the only way. And in diplomacy there are no dead ends. You have to despite the difficulties, despite the problems. A very concrete proposal should be put before all parties involved so that this crisis can be ended,” he concluded.
In the framework of his visit, the President of the Hellenic Parliament met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs. Anita Demetriou, to whom he conveyed the message of unity and support of the Greek people to the Cypriot Hellenism.
Mr. N. Kaklamanis, in the context of his official visit to Nicosia, confirmed in practice the Greek Parliament’s unreserved support for the Cypriot Hellenism. As he said: “In this extremely complex landscape, with the ongoing military confrontations in the wider Middle East region, we are faced with common challenges, particularly in the field of security. Greece was the first country to respond immediately to the request of the Republic of Cyprus, prioritising the security of the Megalithic island, contributing in every possible way to the defence of the Republic of Cyprus”. In addition, the President of the Parliament made it clear that “the security of the Megalonissos, as a member state of the European Union, is an integral part of European security and that any threat against it constitutes a threat to the entire Union.”
For her part, Ms. Demetriou, after personally thanking Mr. N. Kaklamanis and expressing her gratitude to Greece, said: “The message is one and resounding, that Cyprus as an integral part of the ecumenical Hellenism is not far away, but close and the ties between Greece and Cyprus are brotherly and unbreakable.”
The meeting of the two Presidents confirmed the excellent level of cooperation between the two Parliaments and the unwavering commitment to the principles of international law, peace and stability in the region, while particular emphasis was placed on the importance of a united national line in the face of the challenges facing Cyprus.
Meeting with the Archbishop of New Justinian and All Cyprus, Mr George
During his stay in Nicosia, the President of the Greek Parliament also met with the Archbishop of New Justinian and All Cyprus, Mr.Mr. George, with whom they discussed issues concerning the role of the Church in the preservation of historical memory, national identity and spiritual cohesion of the Cypriot people.
