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After the work of the EUMED-9 Summit in Paphos, Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke about the developments in the Middle East. In fact, he focused on the fact that the Cyprus issue found a place in the text of the declaration of the 11th MED9 Summit.

“I am happy for the participation of the King of Jordan in this meeting of ours. Jordan is a country of stability in the wider Middle East region which needs greater European support. Let me repeat the great importance we all attach to the conclusion of a strategic cooperation agreement between Jordan and the European Union.

In the Middle East we have an escalation which is also testing the people of Lebanon. Let me add my voice to the call for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza. Unfortunately, the humanitarian disaster has reached nightmarish proportions. From the first moment, Greece condemned Iran’s attacks on Israel as they contribute to the dangerous escalation of tension. On the other hand, we also call for restraint so that southern Lebanon does not turn into a new Gaza. It will be a humanitarian tragedy that the wider region cannot bear.”

Then he said: “We discussed quite detailed issues that have to do with European competitiveness, but also issues that have to do with immigration. And we also recognized the fact that all Mediterranean countries are unfortunately at the forefront of the climate crisis. Consequently, our coordination in dealing with these phenomena is even more imperative” he initially reported.

“To be able to achieve this long-awaited solution to the Cyprus problem”

Finally, he referred to the Cyprus issue, for which he pointed out: “Finally, we had the opportunity to do a broader overview of regional developments and I want to express my satisfaction in turn, dear Nikos (Christodoulidis), because the issue of the Cypriot, 50 years after the invasion and occupation of more than of one third of Cyprus by the Turkish forces, found its place in our declaration.

And let me in turn welcome the informal tripartite meeting under the Secretary-General of the United Nations and express my expectation that this meeting will bring the resumption of negotiations with the aim of a solution based on the resolutions of the Security Council, in the International law, in the European acquis.

You know well, my dear Nikos, that Greece will always be a helper in your efforts. Finally, 50 years after the Turkish invasion, we can achieve this long-awaited solution.

So let me thank you again, my dear Niko, for the hospitality and for the very meaningful discussion we had and to repeat my belief that this scheme of Mediterranean states still has a lot to give, especially now that we have also acquired a commissioner from Croatia which will deal exclusively with the issues of the Mediterranean”.