Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Venizelos’ statement on arrival in Cyprus

Hellenic MFA, Tuesday, 28 October 2014:

JOURNALIST: Mr. Minister, what should we expect from the ministerial meeting tomorrow? Some say that it is another small stamp on the upgrading of the relations between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt.

E. VENIZELOS: The trilateral cooperation between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt has been under way for some time now, and this is the third trilateral ministerial meeting, which we are holding in preparation for the first Summit Meeting, which will take place in a few days, in Cairo. So we are upgrading our cooperation due to the crises, as well, that are currently present throughout the region. Moreover, this is a very important moment for the Republic of Cyprus, because we have the Turkish provocation, the disputing of the existence and legal personality of the Republic of Cyprus, along with its sovereign rights.

Thus, the international community must make a clear response, is making a clear response, which Turkey must understand. The trilateral cooperation is not cooperation hostile to Turkey. It is cooperation that is aimed at the stabilization and prosperity of the region. But, just as we can cooperate with Egypt and, naturally, Greece with Cyprus, so must Turkey learn that there is the path of consensus, of cooperation, of respect for international legality. This is of very great importance.

Thank you very much.

mfa.gr

28/10/14

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