AVRAMOPOULOS: A short while ago, my meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Christofias, concluded, and it really was a great pleasure and honor to meet with him again and have these constructive talks.
I would like to thank him on behalf of the Greek government for the substantial and documented briefing he gave me on the course of the Cyprus issue. We also discussed the priorities of the Cypriot Presidency, the developments in our wider region, in the Middle East, and of course the energy issues that are priorities for the two countries.
I am certain that Cyprus will be completely successful in the promotion of its historic first Presidency of the European Union. This is a challenge that is even greater in the current state of affairs of the deep recession and the debt crisis that is testing Europe.
I conveyed to President Christofias the warm wishes of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias, and, of course, the brotherly greetings of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, reiterating and underscoring the determination of the new Greek government to stand as Cyprus’ side and support the Cypriot government.
At this point I would like to stress that it is truly sad that the actions of Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Eroglu leave little margin for optimism as to progress on the Cyprus issue. I would like to believe that Turkey will see that it is in its own interests for there to be progress. And this is what I stressed to Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu, with whom I had a brief working meeting in Istanbul, on the margins of the BSEC conference.
This is what is required for our neighbouring country’s European course and for consolidation of stability in our region. We want good relations with all the countries of the region, including Turkey, of course. That is why it is important for Turkey to change its stance and conduct.
We have a difficult road ahead of us. We will travel together, showing cohesion and determination, with the aim of achieving a just, functional and viable solution that will free Cyprus of illegal occupation and settlement, to the benefit of all the island’s residents.
POMILORIDIS: When is Greece looking at moving ahead with the delimitation of its EEZ, given the reactions that exist?
AVRAMOPOULOS: Greece can exercise its inalienable right at any moment. All of its moves are made within the context of central strategic planning and, when the time comes, announcements will be made. Thank you.
July 2, 2012