Greek PM, Cypriot Pres. Talk Cyprus Issue, EU Defense Investments

During the meeting, Mitsotakis praised Christodoulides’ ongoing efforts to keep negotiations alive in pursuit of a “fair and viable solution” to the Cyprus problem

08.03.2025 17:30

Newsroom

Greek PM, Cypriot Pres. Talk Cyprus Issue, EU Defense Investments

Συνάντηση του Κυριάκου Μητσοτάκηεντον πρόεδρο της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας Νίκο Χριστοδουλίδη, στο Μέγαρο Μαξίμου, στις 8 Μαρτίου 2025

08.03.2025 17:30

Politics

Newsroom

During the meeting, Mitsotakis praised Christodoulides’ ongoing efforts to keep negotiations alive in pursuit of a “fair and viable solution” to the Cyprus problem

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, on Saturday to discuss key geopolitical issues, including developments in the Cyprus dispute ahead of the upcoming five-party conference and the need for increased European Union investment in defense. The meeting, which began shortly after 1:00 PM, underscored the strong diplomatic ties between Greece and Cyprus.

Focus on the Cyprus Issue

During the meeting, Mitsotakis praised Christodoulides’ ongoing efforts to keep negotiations alive in pursuit of a “fair and viable solution” to the Cyprus problem. He reaffirmed Greece’s unwavering support for Cyprus in its efforts to achieve a resolution based on international law and European principles.

For his part, President Christodoulides emphasized the significance of the forthcoming five-party summit in Geneva, reiterating that Cyprus aims to resume talks from where they left off in 2017. He stressed the importance of utilizing the progress made in previous negotiations, with the ultimate goal of resolving the Cyprus issue within the framework of the European Union’s principles and values.

Strengthening EU Defense and Security

Beyond the Cyprus issue, both leaders discussed the conclusions of the recent European Council meeting in Brussels. Mitsotakis highlighted the need for EU member states to increase their defense investments, particularly in protecting the Union’s external borders.

Christodoulides echoed these concerns, emphasizing the joint initiative by Greece and Cyprus to bolster European defense and security. He particularly welcomed the European Council’s recognition that the EU faces security threats not only from the war in Ukraine but also in the Eastern Mediterranean—a region of strategic importance for both Greece and Cyprus.

The meeting reaffirmed Greece and Cyprus’ aligned positions on key regional and European issues. With the upcoming five-party talks in Geneva and increasing security concerns in the Mediterranean, both leaders stressed the need for coordinated diplomatic efforts and strengthened defense policies within the EU.