Kotzias: “Cooperation has become more substantial in the last two days”

Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Kotzias has carried out his first official overseas visit to South Cyprus. Within the framework of his contact, Kotzias met with the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades yesterday.

According to the Greek Cypriot news sources, in his statement after meeting with Anastasiades, he said the cooperation between Greece and Cyprus has become more substantial, detailed and specialized in the last two days. Kotzias also said that this has been a major practical step forward in the relations between the two countries. After he was briefed on the Cyprus issue by Anastasiades, Kotzias said that the Greek Cypriot Administration has the will, opportunity and capacity to push forward a just solution to the Cyprus problem, and that Greece gives full support on the issue.

Furthermore, referring to the international community, Kotzias said that some countries support the process, some are in a hurry more than necessary and some are just observing.

Expressing that lifting of the guarantees is the main issue, Kotzias said that he always repeats this issue.

After being asked if the international community is in a position to persuade Turkey to change its stance on the issue of guarantees, the Greek Foreign Minister said that it is considered as an issue which must be discussed and many countries have accepted this view. “I think this situation will also affect Turkey” Kotzias added.

After meeting with Anastasiades, Kotzias had a meeting with the President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus Yannakis Omiru.