07/01/2021 07:30
Issues related to the Portuguese agenda of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, bilateral ties, Cyprus issue and the developments in the region were discussed during a meeting FM Nicos Christodoulides had in Lisbon with his counterpart Augusto Santos Silva. Christodoulides paid Lisbon a working visit on the occasion of the assumption by Portugal of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the fourth time.
The two Ministers had deliberation followed by statements to the press. Christodoulides said he had the opportunity to brief his counterpart on the latest developments on the Cyprus Problem – a European problem at heart - and particularly on the need for Turkey to avoid actions “that undermine the prospect for the resumption of meaningful negotiations, such as its decision to open the fenced area of Varosha and its illegal actions within Cyprus’ maritime zones”.
“I reiterated that our side remains steadfastly committed to the resumption of negotiations, fully supporting the UN Secretary General’s initiative in this regard, for a comprehensive settlement in line with UN Security Council Resolutions, with international and EU law. I also expressed Cyprus’s sincere appreciation for Portugal’s solidarity and support in our efforts to reunify Cyprus. It is our joint belief that the EU provides the best guarantee for a reunited Cyprus; in this regard the active involvement of the EU in the negotiating process is of utmost importance``, the Minister said.
Cyprus FM also briefed Silva on the enhancement of the island`s relations with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Greater Middle East, a region of particular importance, including from a geostrategic perspective. “It is precisely for this reason that the EU ought to be more present, and to have a more active role in this region, that we must not forget, is the EU’s neighbourhood”, he said.
He added that Portugal`s Presidency comes at a time of a greatly challenging European agenda pointing out that the pandemic has driven our societies and economies to the edge, putting in focus fundamental EU principles such as solidarity.
He spoke of the long-standing ties of friendship between the two countries which, he said, have always enjoyed excellent relations, both at the level of Government and of our people. “This is a relationship we value immensely, and which we jointly aspire to further strengthen”, he said.
According to Christodoulides, during the meeting they both underscored their desire to create synergies, and building on the momentum of the visit they expressed their joint commitment to work together closely in an array of fields, including trade and investment, education and culture.
“As a first step, we have decided that can we organise a bilateral Digital Roundtable Discussion with the participation of the main economic and business stakeholders from Cyprus and Portugal, such as Chambers of Commerce, Investment Promotion Agencies and Business Associations``, he said.
He noted that they also proposed to explore cooperation in the area of Research & Innovation by promoting collaborations between Universities and Research Institutions, fully capitalizing on the opportunities offered by EU programmes and will also work on the finalisation of the pending documents in the areas of Security (on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information) and Education.
Christodoulides said that Cyprus considers Portugal as one of its most reliable friends and partners and during the meeting they reaffirmed their common belief in a strong EU, based on its fundamental principles and values of democracy and solidarity.
“We concurred on the crucial importance of working closely together, with a view to effectively tackling major European challenges, including the management of migratory pressures and the measures we need to adopt; the developments on Brexit Deal recently reached; as well as the negotiations concerning the Multi-Annual Financial Framework. As to the latter, the Portuguese Presidency is expected to focus on the completion of the legislative framework allowing our authorities to complete the programming documents, the soonest that would allow the flowing of long-awaited funds to our economies”, he said.
The Cypriot FM also said that Cyprus is fully committed in advancing the employment and social agenda and the Portuguese Presidency can count on Cyprus` support on the relevant legislative work. “We look forward to the Social Summit to be hosted in Porto, in early May, and the very important impetus it is expected to give to the European Pillar of Social Rights”, he said.
Cyprus Minister moreover said that they had the opportunity to discuss the pandemic and its impact not only on our countries but also on a global level and exchanged views on a number of regional issues, on EU-Turkey relations, as well as international developments of common interest, including the Southern Neighborhood.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest UN backed round of talks took place in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana but failed to yield any results.
Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, expressed their determination to positively respond to the UN Secretary-General’s commitment to explore the possibility to convene an informal five-plus-United Nations meeting, in a conducive climate, at an appropriate stage, the UN said following the two leaders first informal meeting on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
The Turkish side illegally opened on October 8 part of the beach of the abandoned town of Famagusta, in violation to numerous UN resolutions.
Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, is often described as a ‘ghost town’. UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus be extended to include Varosha.