There is only one way to move forward as regards the Cyprus problem, and that is the framework of the United Nations Security Council, a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as prescribed and described by the UN Security Council resolutions, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Friday, following his meeting with the Foreign Minister of Andorra, Imma Tor Faus. He also thanked the Andorran government for their principled position as regards the Cyprus problem, spoke of the country’s “tangible support” and informed his counterpart on the latest regional developments.
In his remarks following the meeting, in Nicosia, the Foreign Minister said discussions started from a very important standpoint that both countries share, namely the dedication to the values of public international law and multilateralism, adding that these are important parameters which set the framework for good bilateral relations.
‘Evidence of that is the fact that we just signed a memorandum of friendship and coope
ration which will contribute further to the development of cooperation in areas of common interest, for the common benefit of our people and for our bilateral relation’, he noted.
As regards issues of bilateral interest, Kombos said that there is considerable room for improvement in terms of trade and investment, as well as in the education and the services sectors, adding that specific ways on how that can further progress were discussed, while expressing the hope that the implementation of those proposals and ideas will be actually contributing in that direction.
He also said that he informed his Andorran counterpart about the latest developments as regards the Cyprus problem and thanked the Minister and the government of Andorra for their principled position in relation to a vital issue for Cyprus. ‘At all fora we have seen the tangible support that we have been getting from Andorra and on that front, we have to once again publicly express our appreciation’, he added in that regard.
The Foreign Minister
also reiterated that for the Republic of Cyprus there is only one way to move forward as regards the Cyprus problem, and that is the framework of the United Nations Security Council, ‘a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as prescribed and described by the UN Security Council resolutions’.
He added that the two ministers discussed issues of common European interest and congratulated the Andorran Minister for the successful conclusion of the negotiations for the Association Agreement between the Principality of Andorra and the European Union.
‘Cyprus being a Member State of the European Union for 20 years this year, we are fully aware of the benefits that one can identify with participation or association, in this case, with the European Union, and these are benefits not only at the state level, but primarily for the people, and this is something that Cyprus would like to confirm, reaffirm and project this message also to the people of Andora’, he stressed.
He also expressed concern about
very recent developments and the possible escalation and spillover of the conflict in the Middle East that would have “catastrophic consequences” for the region, but also at the global level, adding that we should all be sending a strong message of restraint and containment.
Concluding, Minister Kombos conveyed to his counterpart his best wishes for a very successful organisation of the Games of Small States of Europe by Andorra in 2025.
For her part, Imma Tor Faus spoke about a very productive meeting with the Cypriot Foreign Minister and highlighted the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding on friendship and general cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the Principality of Andorra.
She added that the agreement starts a new chapter in the two countries’ bilateral relations, which were established in 1995 and will celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations next year, at the same time with the organisation by Andorra of a new edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe.
‘This agreement
we have signed today is an agreement that goes from education and culture to research and innovation, and reflects our common will to work together for the mutual benefit of our citizens’, she noted.
The Andorran Foreign Minister also highlighted the two countries’ shared commitment to sustainability and especially sustainable tourism, adding that this agreement will also allow them to boost relations between actors in different sectors, such as the financial services, where the exchange of best practices will be, according to Tor Faus, of great value for both countries.
She also thanked Minister Kombos and his team for the warm welcome, as well as the mutual support and cooperation in several key matters, such as in multilateral affairs, in the Council of Europe, or during the negotiations with the European Union to achieve an Association Agreement.
‘It is a government of Andorra’s priority to strengthen relations with all the member countries of the European Union, particularly with those whose size and
specificities make it easier to understand the role and challenges of a small state as Andorra, even if Cyprus is very big compared to Andorra’, she stressed on the matter, adding that in this regard, Andorra and Cyprus share values and priorities, especially gender equality, and we offer mutual support in international elections.
In closing, Tor Faus said that the Andorran Minister of Health is attending today in Limassol the 10th High Level meeting of the Small Countries Initiative in Health Matters, which provides small countries a cooperation platform to address challenges pertaining to common interests.
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 inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
