Syrian President says illegal routes issue to be settled very soon

Syrian President Bashar Al – Assad assured Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou – Markoullis that the issue which arose with the illegal sea routes between Latakia, Syria, and the Turkish occupied port of Famagusta, will be settled very soon.
President Assad met in Damascus the Cypriot FM, saying that his country supports a Cyprus solution based on international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Markoullis, who is visiting Syria as part of her Middle East tour, briefed the Syrian President on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue and made special reference on the consequences of the Turkish invasion in 1974.
She also referred to the support measures taken by the government of Cyprus for the Turkish Cypriot community.
Referring to Turkey, she said that Cyprus favours Ankara’s EU bid provided that Turkey fulfills its EU obligations as stated in the Ankara Protocol, which provides for the lifting of the embargos imposed by Turkey on ships and aircraft flying the Cypriot flag.
Markoullis noted Cyprus’ role in the Middle East and said that Nicosia could play a more important role in contributing to efforts aiming at resolving the Middle East problem.
Later on, Markoullis met Vice President of Syria Farouk Al Shara. She is also scheduled to meet with her Syrian counterpart Walid Al Muallem with whom she will hold consultations with the participation of delegations from both countries.
Last month a Turkish cruise ship sailed from the closed port of Famagusta for Latakia.
Nicosia has sought explanations from Syria to ensure that such an incident will not occur again and that no agreement has been reached between Damascus and the illegal regime in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus on permitting vessels to travel from occupied Cyprus to Syria.
Famagusta has been declared by the government of Cyprus a closed port following the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.
The UN has branded the illegal regime in occupied Cyprus “legally invalid” and called on all states not to recognise or facilitate it in any way.