Greek President outlines views on Cyprus question

Greek President Karolos Papoulias has stressed that the Cyprus problem is a problem of invasion and illegal occupation of part of a sovereign state, member of the UN and the European Union.

“The principles of international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty, provide the legal framework in the relations between states and help resolve problems such as Cyprus question, which is a problem of invasion and illegal occupation of part of a sovereign state, member of the UN and the European Union,” said Papoulias in a speech at an official diner hosted by Syrian President Bashar al-Asad in his honour, during his visit to Damascus.

Referring to the peace process in the Middle East, Papoulias said that true peace in the region cannot be achieved unless all parties respect Security Council resolutions and restore the occupied Syrian Golan to Syria.

Furthermore Papoulias stressed the continuous support of Greece for EU-Syria relations through the signing of an Association Agreement as soon as possible.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Turkey, which aspires to become an EU member, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member since May 2004.