Particular emphasis on the revival of international interest in the Cyprus issue was placed by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, during his address before the Greek Parliament on the afternoon of Thursday, 14 May.
President Christodoulides, who attended the Special Session of the Hellenic Parliament at the invitation of President of the Greek Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, underlined that this renewed interest was achieved amid a period of global turmoil and succeeded in ending a seven-year deadlock.
At the same time, he expressed optimism about the immediate resumption of talks and confidence that this time, it would be possible to achieve tangible results soon. He reiterated that, for him, a two-state solution does not exist even as a thought.
“I want, from this historic podium and in the most official manner, to stress that for us, a two-state solution is not even a matter for consideration. We will never accept discussing the legalisation of illegality. Nor will we ever sign off on the permanent consolidation and legitimisation of the administrative, political, and territorial mutilation of the Republic of Cyprus,” he stressed.
European allies
“In this great effort we are undertaking to free ourselves from the shackles of occupation, we do not feel alone. We have, first and foremost, the support of Greece, which remains our most consistent and selfless ally,” President Christodoulides noted, adding that the support of partners within the European Union is also particularly important.
“I note with satisfaction that, following our own painstaking efforts, the heads of the European Commission and the European Council jointly addressed the Secretary-General, laying out in what I may be permitted to call a historic letter, in the most official manner, not only the European Union’s interest in the Cyprus issue, but also the framework that its resolution must safeguard,” he said.
Addressing the Greek MPs, the President of the Republic of Cyprus made special reference to the historical ties between the two countries, as well as Greece’s steadfast support for Cyprus over time.
At the same time, he stressed that the immediate response of the Greek government to the request for strengthening Cyprus’ defense capabilities following the attack on the British bases served as a precursor to an unprecedented wave of solidarity in practice from other European countries as well.
“I would like, once again, to thank the Prime Minister for the tangible assistance. Beyond the substantial strengthening of the sense of security brought about by the dispatch of Greek aid, your immediate response also served, to the highest degree, a powerful symbolism that needs no further explanation. If you will, it was the moral restoration of a historical pending issue that deeply scarred the collective memory, especially of my generation, through the phrase ‘Cyprus lies far away,’” he noted.
European autonomy
Referring to the six-month period during which the Republic of Cyprus is holding the Presidency of the EU, he stressed that Nicosia is working toward the Union’s autonomy in all vital sectors and pointed out that the Republic of Cyprus has a clear political orientation regarding the major issues testing the resilience of the Union and putting its unity and cohesion at stake.
“There is no longer any doubt that the Union’s autonomy in all vital sectors is indispensable for the process of further European integration, for a Union that is autonomous, independent, and strong, capable of protecting its citizens, its borders, and its interests. And it is precisely for this Union that we are working as the Cypriot Presidency,” he emphasised.
In addition, he referred to the government’s efforts to modernise the Cypriot state and upgrade public services through what he described as bold reforms “for the modernisation of institutions, the strengthening of the rule of law, the fight against corruption, the management of migration, the enhancement of the country’s deterrence, investment in social welfare, and the strengthening of citizens’ sense of security in all areas.”
Performance of the Cyprus economy
He also expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Cypriot economy, which he described as remarkable, arguing that it compares favourably with those of major European economies.
“Just yesterday it was announced that, according to the preliminary estimate, Cyprus recorded a growth rate of 3% in the first quarter of 2026, the highest in the European Union, a fact that confirms the resilience and dynamism of its economy,” he underlined.
“The liberation and reunification of Cyprus is the vow that unites all of us, in both Cyprus and Greece, regardless of party affiliations or ideological preferences. The heavy debt we owe to all those in Cyprus and Greece who fought for the universal ideals of Freedom, Democracy, and Justice, and our duty toward all those who sacrificed themselves so that we may live free, do not allow us to reconcile ourselves with anything less,’” he concluded.
Historical and cultural ties
On his part, the President of the Greek Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, welcoming President Christodoulides, referred to the unbreakable historical and cultural ties linking Cyprus and Greece and stressed that Greece was, is, and will remain steadfastly by the side of the Republic of Cyprus.
He emphasised that the Cyprus issue constitutes a top national matter and priority for all political forces and added that “a solution to the Cyprus issue cannot be conceived without the complete withdrawal of the illegal occupation troops and without freeing Cyprus from outdated systems of guarantees and third-party ‘rights’ of intervention in Cypriot affairs.”
The Special Session of the Greek Parliament took place in the presence of the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Speaker of the Greek Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece, former President of the Greek Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, former Presidents of the Greek Parliament, ministers of the Greek government, members of Parliament, the European Commissioners of Cyprus and Greece, representatives of the Security Forces, the Diplomatic Corps, and Cypriot organisations in Greece.
The President of the Republic was accompanied by Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis, Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki, Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Athens Stavros Avgoustidis, and other officials.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. An informal meeting in broader format that was expected to take place before the end of 2025, is yet to be announced. María Angela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.
(Source: CNA)
