“Greece does not accept recommendations on how to exercise its policy and protect its national interests,” diplomatic sources stressed on Tuesday, in response to press reports about the supposed involvement of the Cyprus Republic in the crisis in the Middle East.

“During the Middle East crisis, Greece has maintained a stance of principle that is appreciated by all parties involved and, for this reason, has kept all channels of communication open, without having fallen out with any country.

Regarding the threats against Cyprus, the same sources stressed that “threats against the sovereignty and existence of a member-state of the European Union are entirely unacceptable,” and said that “Greece, along with all the European Union member-states, stands in solidarity with Cyprus.”