The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, has expressed her country's long-standing position and support for efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue on the basis of the agreed UN framework, noting "the country's long-standing contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus since its establishment."
Welcoming House Speaker, Annita Demetriou, who is on an official visit to India at the head of a parliamentary delegation, President Murmu, according to a House statement on 26 November, "referred to the historic ties of friendship between the two countries, which are linked by common democratic values," noting that "this visit is particularly symbolic, as it coincides with India's Constitution Day."
The Indian President noted the continuous upgrading of bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Action Plan agreed between the two countries in a wide range of areas of mutual interest, such as defence, technology, and shipping.
President Murmu expressed her gratitude for Cyprus' support, both in relation to India's goal of becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the country's relations with the EU.
She noted the election of Annita Demetriou as the first female House Speaker of Cyprus and the importance of this event in encouraging more women to participate in political life.
For her part, the House Speaker expressed her sincere gratitude for India's principled position on the Cyprus issue and the country's contribution to UNFICYP, emphasising that Cyprus, which faces constant challenges and illegal actions by Turkey, needs the support of true friends such as India in its struggle for justice and reunification.
She also assured the President of India that Cyprus attaches great importance to the further upgrading of bilateral relations and that, as a friendly country and a member state of the European Union, it will continue to support EU-India relations at all levels.
The House Speaker congratulated President Murmu on the important anniversary for India and its people, India's Constitution Day, emphasising the importance for the two countries, which share similar historical experiences, to protect the precious gift that is democracy.
Finally, she praised the long-standing contribution and work of the Indian President in defending and promoting equality and equal opportunities for all citizens, and in particular for the empowerment of women and girls.
A meeting followed in the Lower House (Lok Sabha) with its President, Shashi Tharoor, and members of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Welcoming the House Speaker and the delegation, Tharoor reaffirmed India's principled position in favour of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus and his country's unwavering support for efforts to achieve a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, as provided for in the relevant UN resolutions.
He emphasised that the strategic relations between India and Cyprus are governed by mutual trust and expressed his gratitude for Cyprus' solidarity and support on issues of major importance to India, such as the fight against cross-border terrorism, but also India's relations with the EU.
Noting Cyprus' strategic geographical position, Tharoor referred to the comprehensive partnership between the two countries, as reflected in the Action Plan for 2025-2029, and the broad prospects for developing multifaceted cooperation in the fields of defence, trade, technology and innovation, shipping, education and culture, mobility and connectivity.
Demetriou expressed her sincere appreciation for India's principled position and support for achieving a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem, emphasising that in view of the continuing Turkish provocations, Cyprus needs the support of friendly countries such as India.
She also stressed that Cyprus is a stable and reliable partner for India and assured that the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU is ready to contribute in every way possible to strengthening EU-India relations and India, including the completion of the Free Trade Agreement.
The Cypriot MPs participating in the delegation emphasised the importance of India's extroverted approach and dynamic presence on the international stage and pointed out that the momentum in relations between the two countries should also be reflected at the parliamentary level, through the establishment of institutionalised cooperation, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels, and the increase of interparliamentary exchanges.
Finally, views were exchanged on current international developments and the challenges facing the Republic today, particularly in the online space.
The parliamentary delegation consists of MPs Nikos Tornaritis, Aristos Damianou, and Christiana Erotokritou, while the House Speaker was accompanied by the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to India, Evagoras Vryonides.
(Source: CNA)
