The friendly relations between Cyprus and South Korea were noted on Thursday in a meeting between the House Speaker, Annita Demetriou, and the Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Korea, Jang Sung Min, the House of Representatives said in a press release. Demetriou received Jang on Thursday and, during the meeting, the friendly relations between Cyprus and South Korea based on common principles and the experience of partition experienced by the two countries were noted as well as the broad prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest and at various levels, including at parliamentary level. Welcoming the initiative of the Republic of Korea aimed at further rapprochement between the two countries, the statement said, Demetriou 'underlined the importance of developing partnerships, in the midst of multiple challenges'. Referring to the Cyprus problem, Demetriou expressed her appreciation for the principled attitude of the Republic of Korea in the efforts to reunify Cyprus, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions, 'emphasising the importance of unwavering adherence to international law, which cannot be applied at will'. It is noted that the Speaker of the Parliament condemned the intensifying Turkish provocations against the Republic of Cyprus. 'Our only weapon for restoring legitimacy is diplomacy and multi-level cooperation', Demetriou said, according to the press release. Jang reaffirmed the principled stance of the Republic of Korea on the Cyprus problem, on the basis of mutual understanding and solidarity, it is noted. Conveying a message of cooperation, the Korean official referred to the great prospects in the development of relations and cooperation in areas mutually beneficial for the two countries, the announcement concludes. 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