Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades expressed on Friday his country’s support to Greece`s efforts to exit the adverse economic crisis and address the refugee crisis.
Addressing a reception hosted by Greek Ambassador to Cyprus, Elias Photopoulos, in his residence in Nicosia on the occasion of Greek Independence Day, Anastasiades declared: “We are looking forward to Greece taking advantage of its real financial potentials for the prosperity of the Greek people.”
He noted: “I express our support to the immense effort which the Greek government, the politicians and the people have been, making during the last years, to exit the deep economic crisis by which the Greeks are suffering.
“We explicitly express our wholehearted support to the struggle of the Greek government to address the humanitarian refugee crisis, and for solidarity in Europe, for which the two states [Cyprus and Greece] are closely cooperating.”
Referring to the refugee crisis, he stressed that “Greece and other countries are in need of immediate support. It is evident that the activation of the Civil Protection Mechanism is not enough for the management of this acute problem.”
The significance of the Greek uprising
The Cypriot president also elaborated on the significance of the Greek uprising of 1821 against the Ottoman Empire, noting that the Greek Cypriots are being inspired by the values which underpinned the Greek revolution. Moreover he thanked Greece for its support to Cyprus.
Earlier on Friday he attended a religious service, in Nicosia, to commemorate Greek Independence Day.
In statements to the press after the service, the President expressed hope that everyone will join efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, with the hope that “we will achieve the soonest a just, viable and functional settlement“.
The island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. President Anastasiades has been engaged in UN-led talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, since May last year, with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.
Source: CNA
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