Cyprus' future should be a “flourishing” one, PACE President says

President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Tiny Kox, said that the future of Cyprus should be a “flourishing” one.

Kox, who is in Cyprus on an official visit, was received on the morning of 6 July by House President, Annita Demetriou.

Demetriou expressed the Parliament’s gratitude for his work and for everything they are doing at the Council of Europe, not only for Cyprus but also for legality, international legal order, and human rights. “This is our duty, this our responsibility”, she added.

Kox, who, was  earlier given a tour of the Cyprus Museum, said that it was “an honour” to be back in Cyprus, and to visit the Cyprus Museum again as well as to learn about the ancient history “of this beautiful island”.

He said there is so much interest in Cyprus and that “there should be a flourishing future”. Referring to the situation in Cyprus he expressed the conviction that, “in the end, you will be fine”.  

Demetriou, said that the reunification of the country, was “the ultimate goal for us”, expressing hope that soon, “we will manage to safeguard” the future the island deserves.

Kox said they have been discussing a lot in the Council of Europe this year about territorial integrity and national sovereignty as regards its member state, Ukraine, noting that it was not respected “and it leads to war and devastation”.

“Your country is an example that if we do not handle these problems, in time, then they become problems for decades and decades and that is not in anybody’s interest, especially not in the interested of the citizens of the whole island”, he added.

Demetriou presented Kox with a silver plate depicting the Kyrenia Ship, noting that this was very symbolic for Cyprus and that, Kyrenia, and the rest of the occupied areas of Cyprus are not forgotten and expressed hope to one day be able to go back to these places.

“I’m at your side”, Kox noted.

Later on, the PACE President had a meeting with the President and the members of the Cypriot Delegation to the PACE, MPs Nicos Tornaritis, George Loucaides, Christiana Erotokritou and Kostis Efstathiou.

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. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended conclusively.

(Source: CNA)