Joint statements of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, N. Anastasiades, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, N. Kotzias, following their meeting (New York, 19.09.2017)

Joint statements of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, N. Anastasiades, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, N. Kotzias, following their meeting (New York, 19.09.2017)N. ANASTASIADES: We had a very constructive meeting with my friend Nikos Kotzias, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, regarding the course ahead, evaluating the results so far; the tragic results, which followed from Turkey’s intransigence in Crans-Montana. We looked at the course so far and at the joint stance we will maintain in order to achieve, not what Turkey calls a settlement outside the parameters, but a settlement within the framework of the UN Resolutions, always bearing in mind, of course, the parameters of the Secretary-General.

N. KOTZIAS: Once again we had a very substantial and productive discussion with the President, Mr. Anastasiades. I briefed him on the conversation I had with the UN Secretary-General, who remains at the disposal of the Republic of Cyprus and, like the President and myself, in the framework of the excellent cooperation we always have, wants to promote a settlement for Cyprus and the Cypriot people. This settlement will have to be within the framework of International Law, of course, and the principles of the UN. I think that the UN Secretary-General and the international powers have realized that Cyprus cannot rely on guarantees of third countries or "rights" of intervention. I think this is one of the many gains we made in Crans-Montana.

JOURNALIST: There is a unified line, right? There’s no misunderstanding or anything like that?

N. KOTZIAS: There is a single line, so it is also a unified line.

N. ANASTASIADES: The misunderstandings are created by you. We have an excellent cooperation and always a unified line!

N. KOTZIAS: Hellenism must always stand united, and that is how we will achieve the solutions we want and desire.

September 19, 2017