**Mitsotakis and Demetriou Pledge Closer Coordination on Cyprus Problem**
In a significant meeting held on Tuesday at Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and House President Annita Demetriou emphasized the importance of enhanced cooperation between Greece and Cyprus regarding the ongoing Cyprus problem. The discussions come at a time when renewed diplomatic efforts are being made to address the long-standing issue.
During the meeting, Mitsotakis extended his congratulations to Demetriou on her recent re-election as House president, acknowledging her effective role in advocating for Cyprus' positions through parliamentary diplomacy. He stated, “You have an extremely important mission both as a state institution and through parliamentary diplomacy, which you have exercised with great effectiveness, raising international awareness of the national issue.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the current climate of renewed diplomatic activity concerning the Cyprus issue, noting that Demetriou’s visit was timely. He expressed a keen interest in her perspectives, reinforcing the necessity for “absolute coordination” between the two governments, which has been a hallmark of their relationship over the years.
Demetriou reciprocated the sentiments of gratitude towards Greece, characterizing it as Cyprus’ strongest ally. She remarked, “Greece was, is and will remain our strongest brotherly ally, which we need so much.” She underscored the potential of parliamentary diplomacy to further solidify the collaboration between the two nations, particularly in areas such as defense, security, and European affairs.
In her remarks, Demetriou also touched upon the ongoing efforts to advance discussions surrounding the Cyprus issue. She indicated that recent talks have focused on maintaining momentum towards the resumption of negotiations, expressing hope for progress that would lead to tangible outcomes. “We hope that we will have the mobility that will ensure real progress on the Cyprus issue,” she stated, while also acknowledging the broader regional challenges and the Euro-Turkish dimension that were part of the discussions.
Mitsotakis took the opportunity to commend Cyprus for its successful presidency of the European Union Council, noting the universal recognition of the Cypriot government's efforts despite the inherent challenges faced by smaller member states in managing the rotating presidency.
The meeting followed a series of discussions that Demetriou had on Monday with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis. Both sides reiterated the critical need for substantive progress towards resuming negotiations aimed at resolving the Cyprus issue, alongside a commitment to continued coordination on regional and European matters.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, the commitment from both leaders to work closely together signals a united front in addressing the complexities of the Cyprus problem, with the aim of fostering stability and cooperation in the region.