President Nikos Christodoulides has referred to Cyprus-Greece relations and his cooperation with the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, clarifying that there is absolutely no disagreement with the Greek Government on the issue of the electrical interconnection of the two countries, despite the disagreements that may exist on other issues.
In an interview with Greek television channel SKAI and when asked about the priorities of cooperation between Greece and Cyprus during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of Europe, President Christodoulides stated that "the relationship with the Greek Prime Minister is absolutely sincere. And I am particularly happy because, together, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and I discuss all issues. There are issues, and I speak absolutely honestly, that we agree on, there are also issues that we have a different approach to, and that is not a bad thing. Sometimes possibly about Turkey, about issues within the EU. The important thing is that we do not hide behind on another and that is how Greece-Cyprus relations should be. We discuss everything, even those things that we disagree on and we determine a common course, a common strategy."
At the same time, he noted that "now Cyprus-Greece relations are not limited to the issues of the Cyprus issue, Turkey, defence and security. They touch on a wide range of sectors such as digital governance, shipping issues, social welfare, education. We cooperate in all sectors and have established together the strategic dialogue, the intergovernmental conferences between Cyprus and Greece."
Additionally, Christodoulides noted that "Greece has this institution with Turkey and some other states. We had this institution with Egypt, Serbia and it did not exist between Cyprus and Greece. I am truly happy because it has now been established with particular added value for both countries."
Important, as the President emphasised during the Cyprus Presidency, especially with regard to the second pillar of priorities, is the highlighting of the need to strengthen relations between the wider Middle East and Europe.
Regarding the Greece-Cyprus electrical interconnection, which has stalled, Christodoulides clarified that there is "absolutely no disagreement with the Greek government. There is complete alignment and agreement between me and the Greek Prime Minister on the payment of 25 million euros as an obligation of the Republic of Cyprus following a decision we have made in the Council of Ministers, but also on how the entire project is progressing."
He clarified that "for us, the electrical interconnection is a project of strategic importance. We are energy-isolated as an island and we really want this connection, just as we want the connection with Israel. We have also decided with Lebanon, we have entrusted the World Bank with the preparation of a study for the possible Cyprus-Lebanon electrical interconnection."
Regarding the Crete-Cyprus electrical interconnection, President Christodoulides emphasised that "together with the Greek Prime Minister, taking into account that there is strong investment interest and we want investors in this project, we have agreed to work to update the studies, which will also help us attract potential investors."
(Source: InBusinessNews)
