N. Dendias: Greece does not threaten anyone, but is not intimidated by illegal actions

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«Greece does not threaten anyone, but is not intimidated by illegal actions», Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said in a statement after his meeting with his counterpart from the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, who is visiting Athens. «It will protect its sovereignty, its sovereign rights, as they derive from international law and the law of the sea,» he added.

Referring to the 63rd round of exploratory contacts taking place the day after tomorrow in Ankara, he noted that ‘it is unacceptable that Turkey, with constant provocations and inflammatory statements, is trying to undermine the atmosphere of these contacts, even before they take place« and cited as a final example the letter of the Turkish Permanent Representative to the UN, regarding the militarization status of the Aegean islands.

«The Turkish protest is an example of an oxymoron,» Dendias said. «Turkey is protesting the militarisation of the islands, while it has deployed the largest landing fleet in the Mediterranean opposite these islands. And at the same time it is asking Greece to leave these islands uncovered to any external threat.».

«We reject in their entirety all the unsubstantiated accusations that Turkey's neighbours are hurling at us, we reject all illegal actions», he said.

«I call on Turkey to refrain from such acts, which destabilize the region, which endanger international navigation and offer absolutely nothing to Turkey and Turkish society.».

The Foreign Minister also condemned the «illegal actions against the Republic of Cyprus, starting with the invasion and of course the continued occupation of a large part of its territory» and «more recently, the illegal announcements on the status of Varosha, the announcement of military exercises within Cypriot territorial waters and yesterday's actions in the Cypriot EEZ».

«I would like to be clear regarding recent announcements by Turkey to conduct illegal drilling on the Cypriot continental shelf. There are European Council decisions on this issue,» he said.

«If there is a new relapse on the part of Turkey, then the necessary measures should be taken,» he stressed. «Turkey's behaviour cannot be accepted.».

Dendias noted that «Greece will always stand by Cyprus, committed to the efforts being made for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the European acquis».

He said that his Cypriot counterpart briefed him on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, in the light of the recent lunch hosted by the UN Secretary-General to the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community. The strengthening of multilateral cooperation with other states in the region was also discussed.

For his part, Mr.Dendias informed his Cypriot counterpart in detail about the agreement between Greece and France and reiterated that this agreement is of a strictly defensive nature.

«It strengthens European defence, which is our common goal and contributes positively to the promotion of security and stability in the Mediterranean», Dendias said.

N. Christodoulides: Ankara's eloquent statements have not been translated into action

«The illegal and dangerous actions of Ankara in recent days, both off Crete and in the southwest of Cyprus, prove to even the most skeptical that the eloquent statements we have heard for some time from Turkey are unfortunately not translated into action‘, noted Cyprus» Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides.

«The country's foreign policy is still based on a revisionist, neo-Ottoman approach, based primarily on the country's military strength.».

Christodoulides thanked the Greek Foreign Minister for the warm wishes on the 61st anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus and noted that «the content of the congratulatory letter and the practical and substantial support of the Greek government and the Greek people, strengthens our efforts to end the occupation and reunify Cyprus, on the basis of the agreed framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation».

He said that the contact and coordination between the two ministers, as well as at the level of technocrats, is continuous and uninterrupted and takes place on a daily basis.

Christodoulides informed Mr.Dendias about the Cyprus issue and the recent meeting President Anastasiades had with the UN Secretary General and the Turkish Cypriot leader in New York last week, «where unfortunately we had a withdrawal from the Turkish side from what was agreed».

«Despite the difficulties, the problems, the disappointment, as a result of the Turkish stance, we still believe that the resumption of substantive talks and the achievement of a positive outcome is a feasible goal,» he said.

They also discussed the next steps in the joint effort of Greece and Cyprus to strengthen and expand regional cooperation networks,

«The messages that we are receiving from the international community and the results of these partnerships are now visible,» Christodoulides said. «In the coming period, new important meetings will take place both at the regional level and with the participation of EU member states.».

Referring to the 63rd round of exploratory contacts, Christodoulides noted that «our wish and expectation is that positive results will be achieved» although it is being conducted «under the shadow of Turkish provocativeness».

Regarding the Greece-France agreement, he said that from Nicosia's point of view it is considered extremely important, «not only for the two countries, but also for stability and security in the wider region».

«It is also important for the EU in the direction of strengthening the EU's geostrategic footprint in the region, as well as the common goal of Greece and Cyprus and other EU states on the need for strategic autonomy of the EU,» he said.

«Times are difficult, the challenges ahead are many. Cyprus and Greece are determined to continue with seriousness, consistency and determination and with full respect for international law,» the Cypriot Foreign Minister said.

«Within this framework, we will continue to work together, both with like-minded states in the region, our partners in the EU, but also with those states that recognize and support the positive and stabilizing role Cyprus and Greece play in a region of particular geostrategic importance, so that conditions of security and stability prevail.».

N. Stamoulis