Statement on the Cyprus issue by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Venizelos

Hellenic MFA, Friday, 24 October 2014 :

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos made the following statement on the Cyprus issue:

“I express publicly, as well, my best wishes to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, for a speedy recovery and return to his duties. I had a telephone conversation with him today, optimistic. The condition of his health is much better, and he will soon recover.

However, despite President Anastasiades’ absence, the European Council – the European Union in general, I would say – sent a very clear message to Turkey; a message being sent by the whole of the international community: That there is a requirement to respect international law, respect the sovereign rights and, primarily, the existence and the international legal personality of the Republic of Cyprus, which is something that we must always say, because, unfortunately, it is not self-evident. A country cannot aspire to membership in the European Union without recognizing all 28 member states; that is, including the Republic of Cyprus.”
mfa.gr
24/10/14
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