Your Excellency Mr. President of the Hellenic Republic,

Your Excellency Mr. President of the Republic of Cyprus,

Dear Colleagues,

Dear Guests,

It is the second time that we welcome a President of the Hellenic Republic to the House of Representatives and this occasion is a source of great joy and an honour for the people of Cyprus, the Parliament of Cyprus and myself.

Mr. President of the Hellenic Republic,

Seven years have gone by since your predecessor’s visit here. However, the strong, fraternal bonds between Greece and Cyprus, which your presence here reaffirms and reinforces even further,  are also underscored in other infinite ways, including a very regular exchange of visits at all levels. I welcome you with special warmth on behalf of all Members of the House, because as the highest representative of the Hellenic State, you personally carry the firm continuity between history, the present and the future, that exists and will continue to exist in the relations between the Greek and the Cypriot people and their leadership, mandated to turn their dreams and expectations into deeds and tangible reality.

At no time has a visit by a Greek official to Cyprus been fortunate to be marked by auspicious political conditions in the surrounding international environment, where our two countries are summoned to perform, both separately and in common, their respective roles. However, the certainty of mutual support, solidarity and a common stance, constitute our most valuable asset in order to be moving on, despite adversities, with greater self-confidence and justified optimism, toward the future, while handling the countless difficulties with wisdom and in harmony with each other.

The expression of our gratitude to Greece, its People and its entire political leadership, for their steadfast interest and support never constitutes an exaggeration. Our most recent and most important joint effort, which bore fruit, was Cyprus’ accession to the European Union, the second of our two strategic goals. The primary, but also most difficult goal, is the solution of the Cyprus problem, which troubles us to date.  Not from lack of will on our part of course. Our will is given, as is our devotion to the aim of reuniting the island and its people, in a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, based on the relevant United Nations resolutions and founded on the principles of the European Union, of which both our countries are now full members, and which Turkey, an important factor and key player on the chessboard of the Cyprus problem, aspires to join.

However, the chessboard parallel ends here. Because the parameters of the Cyprus problem are well - known, and the sun of justice has not yet risen for the people of our tortured country. We all know that it will eventually shine for real in the souls of our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike, without discrimination.  A just under the circumstances and correct  solution should be an agreed solution that will result from substantial negotiation and the achievement of the necessary changes in the Annan Plan, which will render it more balanced, functional and therefore viable; by effectively addressing the concerns of both communities to their mutual benefit and not by serving foreign interests. Only in this way, will the conditions for peaceful coexistence and meaningful cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots be safeguarded in a common homeland with common prospects.

It is for this reason that Cyprus and Greece wish that Turkey accedes to the Union, provided that Turkey fulfills the criteria, just as any other candidate country, respects the principles and values that govern the European Union and complies with her obligations vis-à-vis the European Union and all member states, without exception.

Unfortunately, however, the response by the Turkish leadership has not only not been positive, but instead exceeds even the limits of provocation, both towards Cyprus and Greece, as well as towards all her other future partners. There is no need to repeat to someone who is fully aware of the arrogant behaviour of the Turkish leadership, Mr. President, the threats directed hurled by Ankara on a daily basis, with regard to her expansionist plans in Cyprus.

On our part, we continue to maintain contact with the Turkish Cypriots at all possible levels, keeping the flame of reunification alight. Hoping, at the same time, that their leadership will realize their true interests, and terminate its attachment to the mistaken course of absolving Turkey of its wrongful conduct, a course in which the Turkish Cypriots are probably the farthermost of their concerns. In the meantime, the Cyprus Government has been implementing a package of measures aiming to improve the living standards of the Turkish Cypriots and provide every other assistance possible, always in the framework of international legality. We say yes to providing assistance and to transactions, but not to acts that aim to upgrade or recognize the occupation regime, or cultivate notions for two separate states.

This having been said, we do not forget that Cyprus also has interests beyond its own  problems of direct concern, and which by necessity she is forced to address as a matter of priority. We do not forget our cooperation with Greece and her own concerns and expectations, and we are always ready to offer our assistance and support, in the same generous way, to her own struggles in the international and European political environment. A pertinent example within this framework is last year’s signing of a Memorandum of cooperation between the Cyprus House of Representatives and the Greek Parliament.

We neither forget that broader horizons appear before us for a more active role for both our countries at the regional level, acting as bridges of dialogue and confluence, for the consolidation of peace, stability and development. The Balkans and the Middle East are regions where both Greece and Cyprus, respectively, could contribute a great deal so as to transform the aspirations of the European Union into reality in the effort to balance the anomalies created by the so-called new international order.

Dear Mr. President, you are well aware of the meaning of bastions, in war as well as in peace. From Yiannena to the Herode Atticus street in Athens, the course has been long, but also rich with experiences, having passed both through the fire of battle, and through political struggles all over the world. A perpetual pole-vault jump. Admittedly not the easiest of sports that one could have chosen if one does not always look up high and far into the distance. The Greek people seem to attest to this with their trust in you.   We are happy that you are here with us and we wish, from the bottom of our hearts, all the best to you and to the fraternal people of Greece.

Mr. President, you have the floor.