We intend to proceed with the research and laying of the electric cable, Greek FM says

“The electrical interconnection between Greece and Cyprus is of common European interest and Athens' intention is to continue the research and laying of the electric cable, the Greek Foreign Minister has said.

Giorgos Gerapetritis was speaking on 9 April during an interview at the Delphi Forum in Greece, and while referring to the Cyprus issue, he also noted that it seems to be the first, non-war, priority of the United Nations.

Gerapetritis also stressed that the laying of surface cables is protected by international law and does not require any permit and stressed that his feeling and expectation is that the work will continue as normal.

In response to a question regarding possible Turkish reactions, Gerapetritis stressed that this is a project under international law. "Unfortunately, the fact that at the moment there has been no delimitation of maritime zones, i.e. continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone, breeds this type of tensions and will continue to breed them until we reach a common understanding, an agreement, a referral through a compromise. Our effort is to safeguard international law in peace and that is what we will continue to do," he said.

The Greek Foreign Minister stressed that at the moment we have the Cyprus problem "in full swing", which has been made possible by the active diplomacy of the Republic of Cyprus and Greece, but above all by the improvement in Greek-Turkish relations. 

"I am very pleased about this fact - that the Cyprus problem is actively moving ahead. We have meetings, which are taking place between the two leaders. The building of a positive agenda, that is, areas in which there can be mutually beneficial agreements so that we can actually have a substantial development, which is none other than the reunification of the island, within the framework of the Security Council resolutions, which also define the framework," Gerapetritis noted, adding that he left Geneva much more optimistic than when he assumed the position of Foreign Minister.

"Today, the Cyprus problem seems to be the first, non-war, priority of the United Nations. Obviously, Greece's position as a member of the UN Security Council is also contributing. I have the feeling that there is a common understanding that the Cyprus problem should be treated as an issue of major importance that connects Europe," he said.

"I am very pleased about this fact - that the Cyprus problem is moving actively. We have meetings, which are taking place between the two leaders. The building of a positive agenda, that is, areas in which there can be mutually beneficial agreements so that we can actually have a substantial development, which is none other than the reunification of the island, within the framework of the Security Council resolutions, which also define the framework," Gerapetritis noted, adding that he left Geneva much more optimistic than when he assumed the position of Foreign Minister.

"Today, the Cyprus problem seems to be the first, non-war, priority of the United Nations. Obviously, Greece's position as a member of the UN Security Council is also contributing. I have the feeling that there is a common understanding that the Cyprus problem should be treated as an issue of major importance that connects Europe," he said.

"Cyprus is a member state of the European Union. But it also connects the whole world, which at this moment in such an environment of instability is looking for a great good news. And I think that Cyprus should have a development which will be important and great for Cyprus itself," the Greek Foreign Minister concluded.

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.

UN Secretary General announced that an informal meeting on Cyprus in a broader format will be held at the end of July, following a similar meeting in Geneva, on March 17-18. Antonio Guterres also announced that he will appoint a new personal envoy on Cyprus to prepare the next steps, while the two sides agreed to proceed with a number of initiatives, involving the opening of crossing points, the creation of a Technical Committee on Youth and other initiatives in the buffer zone and throughout the island.

(Source: CNA)