Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides addressed the Greek Parliament on Thursday, marking the first visit by a Cypriot head of state to the chamber in 16 years. He used the occasion to call for renewed efforts to reunify the divided island and to reaffirm the close bond between Cyprus and Greece.
The last such address took place in 2010, when Cyprus commemorated 50 years of independence.
The Cypriot presidency called the moment historic, saying it confirmed the deeply institutional and strategic relationship between the two countries and their shared responsibility toward regional and European challenges.
Standing before the Greek Parliament, the Cypriot president described Greece as the island’s most consistent and selfless ally. He said that both nations face Turkey’s continued aggressive posture in the region together.
Cyprus President calls for reunification before the Greek Parliament
The Cyprus problem was central to his remarks. Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island in 1974. Christodoulides accused Ankara of bringing settlers into the occupied north to alter its demographic makeup, calling the occupation illegal.
His government, he said, holds a mandate to pursue reunification. He firmly rejected any two-state arrangement, saying it is not something his side would ever consider or negotiate.
On the diplomatic front, Christodoulides said that the United Nations is expected to make a new effort to resolve the dispute before Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ends his term at the close of this year.
He said that his government’s work has helped draw renewed international attention to the issue, despite global focus being absorbed by the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. He added that any settlement must be grounded in the agreed UN framework, the negotiated acquis, and EU law.
Greece steps up with military aid after drone strike
He thanked Greece for quickly responding to Cyprus’ request for military reinforcement after a drone struck the British base at RAF Akrotiri. The response, he said, showed the two countries are not far apart.
He also expressed gratitude for the Greek soldiers who died defending Cyprus during the 1974 invasion, saying their sacrifice placed them alongside celebrated figures from Greek history.
Christodoulides called Cyprus’ entry into the European Union in 2004 the greatest diplomatic achievement since independence.
He noted the country’s current economic growth rate of 3 percent is the highest in the EU. He said that Cyprus and Greece are moving together toward progress and security, expressing confidence that better days lie ahead for both nations.
The Cypriot presidency confirmed the president was to return to Nicosia on Thursday evening.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
