The Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Nikos Xydakis, met with the Republic of Cyprus’s Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Ioannis Kasoulides; Education and Culture, Costas Kadis; and Interior, Socrates Hasikos, on Friday, 20 November, in Nicosia.
During his meeting with Foreign Minister Kasoulides, Mr. Xydiakis briefed his collocutor on the refugee issue and the Greek government’s actions, and he was briefed on the recent developments in the negotiations on the Cyprus issue. Also discussed were the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and developments in the Syrian crisis.
Mr. Xydakis discussed the broadening of bilateral cooperation on culture and education issues with Education and Culture Minister Kadis.
With Interior Minister Hasikos, emphasis was put on the refugee issue, while there was also a discussion of the planned reforms in local administration in Cyprus.
Following the meetings, Mr. Xydakis stated, among other things, that “contacts between the two government have been stepped up a great deal recently. This reaffirms the excellent relations between Athens and Nicosia, which reflect the fact that thousands of Greeks have moved to and are working and prospering in the Republic of Cyprus. The shared destiny that binds Hellenism – on the Greek peninsula, the islands, and in Cyprus, even the economic crisis that brought us closer together – makes it easy for Greek politicians to tell the EU Councils that ‘we share the concerns of Cyprus’. We share the concerns, cares and interests of Cyprus, and I think that, in this political and historical phase, Cyprus and Greece identify with a common perspective on history and a common strategy. Today’s visit is a special moment for me. I came as an old friend. I received a private invitation from the University of Cyprus, but I also came as a representative of the Greek government. I wish you all the best in this difficult time we are going through.”
Mr. Xydakis made the opening speech at a three-day international scientific conference on “The History and Literature of the Struggle 1955-1959”, which is being held by the University of Cyprus, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture. The title of Mr. Xydakis’ address was, “‘… with its flowers, with its flags, with its wounds.’ The reverberations of the first two years of the Struggle in the intellectual life of Greece.”
November 21, 2015