Turkish occupation of Cyprus unacceptable, says Papoulias

The President of Greece Karolos Papoulias has described as “unacceptable” the continuing occupation of part of Cyprus by Turkey, adding that it is equally deplorable to see the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, divided.

Addressing the President of the Republic of Italy Giorgio Napolitano, during an official dinner hosted to honor him at the Greek Presidential Palace, Papoulias noted that he always believes “in a just, viable and functional solution of the Cyprus problem which will allow Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to live in harmony in a European environment of security, development and prosperity”.

The President of the Greek Republic added that the two counties have marked the civilisation of Europe, saying that democracy, the ancient Greek philosophy, Roman law and humanitarian values were the basis and the foundation of the modern European edifice.

He noted that “the brotherly ties which have linked the two people in antiquity continued and strengthened even further during the Ottoman domination, when Greek intellectuals found shelter for creation in the Italian cities''.

Furthermore, he made a special reference to the Greek speaking villages of southern Italy, noting that “there are strong bonds that link the two countries”.

In conclusion, he said that cooperation between the people of the Mediterranean is very important, not only for the countries of the region, but also for the entire European continent, noting that Greece has supported in principle the initiative for the creation of a Mediterranean Union.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.