The Cyprus problem and the economic situation in Cyprus and Greece was on the agenda of consecutive meetings House Speaker Yiannakis Omirou had on Wednesday with the leaders of the political parties in Athens. Omirou is paying Athens an official visit and today he is set to address the plenary of the Greek Parliament.
Yesterday he met with the newly elected President of New Democracy Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who announced that he will visit Cyprus on Sunday, the Secretary of the Communist Party Dimitris Koutsoubas, MP of “Potami“ Spyros Danellis and the leader of the Greek centrist party, Union of Centrists Vasilis Leventis.
The leaders of all the political parties expressed their concerns on the state of play of the negotiations for a Cyprus solution. They pointed out at the same time that they support the efforts to achieve a viable and just solution that will safeguard the fundamental rights of all Cypriots and will terminate anachronistic guarantees.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-backed negotiations between President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci are underway aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof.
In his statements Omirou said that much is said and written about a prospective `fast solution` and imminent referenda, pointing out that we want a solution but we are not ready to accept just any solution that will not stand in time.
House Speaker said that the international community must ask Turkey to contribute to a mutually acceptable solution based on international and European law. He furthermore said that during these critical times, we must reaffirm the principles on which the Cyprus problem must be solved.
Omirou also referred to the Cypriot economy, pointing out that despite the fact that we are ready to exit the adjustment programme, unemployment levels are still high and non performing loans are a `time bomb`.
He added that the EU did not show its solidarity towards Cyprus and Greece when faced with the economic crisis. Omirou went on to say that especially in regard to Greece, the EU`s stance should have been different because of its contribution to the refugee crisis.
CNA/MF/KCH/EPH/2016
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY