The new momentum in Greek-Turkish relations "is a momentum of climate and good mood" which "can contribute to a better mood in the Cyprus issue which is not a Greek-Turkish issue but an international issue of invasion and occupation
The former Vice-President of the Greek Government Evangelos Venizelos expressed the belief that "here in Nicosia we should form a line with insight and consensus, without repeating general formulations", referring to the Cyprus issue.
In his statements in the press room of the Parliament after a meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament Annitas Dimitriou, Evangelos Venizelos said that the moment is very critical and that due to the deep crisis in the Middle East the Cyprus issue must be brought back into the news.
He noted that "the appointment of the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative is a very encouraging sign that we should make the most of" and indicated that for this to happen there must be a truly national strategy but also that the key to this strategy is here in Nicosia, in the political system, in the political parties that "must work out our strategy with the support of course always of the Hellenic Republic and the whole nation".
Mr. Venizelos said that they still discussed crucial legal and constitutional issues with the Speaker of the House and stated that he is at the disposal of the House of Representatives for any assistance needed.
He also stated that the new momentum in Greek-Turkish relations "is a momentum of climate and good mood" which "can contribute to a better mood in the Cyprus issue which is not a Greek-Turkish issue but an international issue of invasion and occupation, we never forget that".
In an observation by a journalist that the new good mood in Greek-Turkish relations does not translate into a change in the attitude of the Turkish side on the Cyprus issue as it insists on a two-state solution, Mr. Venizelos said that Greece has been prioritizing the Cyprus issue in its national strategy for 50 years, adding that the party's improvement in Greek-Turkish relations without the two countries having progressed on matters of substance, is an approach which could possibly work positively in the Cyprus issue as well.
However, he reiterated that the Cyprus issue is an international problem, the initiative belongs to the UN Secretary-General and that "we will not discuss the Cyprus issue as a Greek-Turkish issue, but we can – and this is the Greek Government's line, if I understand and interpret it correctly – the climate to help".
He explained that something like this is neither easy, nor will it happen automatically, but we should also pay attention to the small steps and nuances. He reiterated that "we here in Nicosia should form a line with foresight and consensus, without repeating general formulations which may be an easy answer to questions of the moment but do not in themselves constitute a strategy".
When asked if the crisis in the Middle East can become an opportunity for the Cyprus problem, Mr. Venizelos answered in the affirmative saying that the problem in the Middle East has acquired global dimensions and expressed the belief that not only the West but all international political actors realize that a stable and secure Cyprus that has solved its political problem is a guarantee for the international community and certainly for the West.
For her part, the President of the Parliament expressed her special joy for the meeting with Evangelos Venizelos, "a man who made a decisive contribution to the evolution of Greece, the Hellenic Republic, as we know it today".
He noted that he and Mr. Venizelos exchanged views on all issues, especially regarding the Cyprus issue given that he contributed substantially all these years to any discussions and developments.
"I am glad that we agree that we should, especially now with everything that is happening, focus on this," said the Speaker of the House, also mentioning that they exchanged views and listened to the advice of Evangelos Venizelos on legal aspects of important issues that also concern the House of Representatives.
"It is important" pointed out Mrs. Dimitriou, "to emphasize once again that Greece always stands by us to help us in all that we have to manage".
He also emphasized that some political choices, such as, for example, the normalization of relations with Turkey, also help the Cypriot issue and expressed his satisfaction as through and through such discussions with personalities like Mr. Venizelos "we have the opportunity to work together towards the common goal that is none other than the establishment of peace, security and prosperity both in Cyprus and in Greece and in the wider region".