Minister
of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Katrougalos made the following statement
following the conclusion of his meeting with the UN Secretary General’s
Special Envoy on Cyprus, Jane Holl Lute:
“I
reiterated to Jane Lute that Greece considers the Cyprus issue to be a
matter of International Law, as well as our commitment to the need for a
solution to the Cyprus issue, in compliance with the decisions of the
United Nations; additionally, thatGreece wishes to
discuss its international dimension, in other words the abolition of the
anachronistic system of guarantees and the withdrawal of occupation
troops. Greece holds that both sides of the island, the Republic of
Cyprus, and the Turkish Cypriotcommunity, have
exclusive competence to discuss among themselves the issues that concern
them. I also reiterated that the term of the UNFICYP ought to be
renewed and that, in any case, this issue must not be considered crucial
for the continuationof negotiations, which ought
to continue on the principle that Greece has always supported, namely
respect of International Law and the relevant UN decisions. Finally, I
stressed that we also expect the support of the UN in our effort to
discuss the internationaldimension with Turkey.”
April 5, 2019