Press Releases

Thank you my dear Analena for the invitation to visit Berlin, the warm hospitality and the extremely useful exchange between us.

Our meeting today takes place only a few weeks after the visit of the President of the Republic to Berlin and the contacts he had with the President and Federal Chancellor of Germany.

This is practical proof of the importance that our countries attach to the deepening of bilateral relations and the political dialogue between us.

At this critical international juncture precisely, at a time when the foundations of international relations and our value system are being shaken, it is necessary to hold a targeted and meaningful dialogue at the bilateral and multilateral level.

We had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues related to bilateral relations and to consider ways to further deepen cooperation in various fields. Especially in the fields of defense and security, Cyprus and Germany have recently signed the first cooperation protocol, which lays the foundations for the creation of a mutually beneficial relationship.

We also discussed ways to strengthen coordination within the EU, and particularly in the European decision-making process.

We exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine following the Russian invasion, assessing the EU's coordinated response, but also the complications created at global level in the area of energy supply and, the food crisis.

In this context, I reiterated the need to preserve the unity of the EU, but also the importance of continuing our support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, without exception.

With regard to immigration, I thanked Germany for its constructive approach to efforts to find European solutions, but also for our bilateral cooperation and the assistance provided to Cyprus through EASO.

I would now like to refer to the efforts we are making to keep the prospect of the reunification of Cyprus alive.

The creation of conditions conducive to the resumption of negotiations for the settlement of the Cyprus Problem on the basis of the UN resolutions was and remains our absolute political priority.

I informed Minister Baerbock on the efforts we made to regain the lost trust between the two sides as well as about the need for a new initiative by the UN Secretary- General.

Unfortunately, all efforts are blocked by Turkey and the Turkish-Cypriot leadership, who have prioritized upgrading the separatist entity in the occupied territories and securing equal international status.

I also informed about Turkey's provocations against the Republic of Cyprus in Varosha and the buffer zone, which are aimed at trying to create new faits accomplis. I personally thanked Minister Baerbock for Germany's support in the goal of the reunification of Cyprus as well as the efforts to prevent illegal Turkish actions.

In closing, I would like to thank you once again, dear colleague, for this very fruitful meeting, which gave us the opportunity to confirm our common will to further promote the friendship and cooperation between Cyprus and Germany.

I wish you all the best for the new year, health, safety and prosperity in all the world.

(MH)