The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos, met today with the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Fotis Fotiou, who is paying an official visit to our country, following an official invitation to visit Athens, extended to him by Mr. Panagiotopoulos.

During their meeting, the two men discussed matters concerning defence and military cooperation between Greece and Cyprus, matters of coordination between the two Ministries as well as matters of mutual interest for the two countries, concerning the developments in the broader region of the South-Eastern Mediterranean.

After the completion of their meeting, Mr. Panagiotopoulos and Mr. Fotiou made the following statements:

P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: First of all, I would like to welcome to Athens, at his first visit here, my colleague and dear friend, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Fotis Fotiou.

Naturally this is not our first meeting, yet it is the first official visit carried out here, at the Ministry of National Defence. We have constant communication since the first moment he took an oath and assumed the very important and honorary duty of Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus.

We had the chance to meet many times, apart from our telephone communications, at European Union level and closely cooperate on matters of common and mutual interest.

I believe that today’s case is completely different. It is his first visit to the Ministry of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic and, for this reason, I would like to warmly welcome the Minister of Defence of Cyprus Mr. Fotiou and his colleagues.

The Ministry’s of National Defence of Greece stance is clear and definite. Greece, under all circumstances, no matter the difficulties that may exist, will never cease being the prominent agent guaranteeing security, sovereignty, independence and integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.

The fortunes of Hellenism, wherever it is present, are interdependent and indistinguishable. In this instance, we refer to the common course of Greek Hellenism and Cypriot Hellenism.

Under these circumstances, it is completely natural that the two Ministries have the closest cooperation. We made a review of all matters concerning this cooperation; operational, strategic. We agreed on even more promoting this cooperation. We agreed on updating matters related to operations and referring to the new needs, the strategic needs ensuing in the south-eastern Mediterranean.

We discussed matters concerning energy security in the area; matters having to do with the development of initiatives as to carbohydrates, from the Republic of Cyprus as well as from the Greek side.

We agreed that in the next months Cyprus and Greece will both assume initiatives relating to a framework for cooperation with countries of our region, friend countries such as Israel, with which both countries, Greece and Cyprus, have close relations.

Of course, under no circumstances does this contradict the traditional close friendly relations that Greece and Cyprus as well have with the Arab world, with countries such as Egypt, Lebanon and other countries in the area.

We also made a review of the developments in South-eastern Mediterranean. It is our neighbourhood and in this neighbourhood Greece and Cyprus assume initiatives for the benefit of stability, security and cooperation of the peoples in the region.

I would like to thank again my good friend Fotis Fotiou for his visit here; it is a great honour for me and for the Ministry of National Defence.

I would like to assure once more that here we are a Ministry identified with the Ministry of Cyprus since, as I already said, the fortunes of Hellenism and the issue of defence protection of Greek and Cypriot Hellenism, is a mutual National issue for all, one we have all been enlisted for and one we make anything possible for.

Fotis, thank you very much.

F. FOTIOU: Panos, it is my honour to be here today, at the Ministry of National Defence of Greece and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for the warm welcome and hospitality, as well as for all what you have offered to the struggles of the Cypriot people during all these years, from many different posts.

Back in Cyprus they say you are a Cypriot, for they know you very well.

On the other hand, I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the new Government of the Republic of Cyprus, to thank the government of Greece and the Hellenic people since, in this difficult circumstance Cyprus experiences, apart from the problems of invasion and occupation we have, and I would also like to say that Greece has always been the stable, constant supporter for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus, you realise that during the hardest times we experience since 1974, due to the financial crisis, we should all work together, both Governments, support one another so as to be able to give to our peoples hope and perspective.

In 1974 we achieved a miracle. We are determined. We will achieve this miracle again; united we can do it.

Therefore, I had the opportunity to discuss a series of issues, sensitive issues I would say, with the Minister of National Defence of Greece. Issues pertaining to the broader region, issues referring to the situation in the Middle East, the developments in the Exclusive Economic Zone, as well as the constant threats and challenges by the Turks as far as our sovereign rights are concerned.

At this point, I would also like to stress out that Turkey’s threats against the Republic of Cyprus do not help of course towards the solution of problems, nor do they demonstrate Turkey’s European orientation, for they are threats against international Rule of Law.

I would like to say, in the most passionate way, that the exploitation of our natural surroundings, the natural resources of the Republic of Cyprus, is our sovereign right and no one can question it.

For this reason, we will proceed in the context of the international Rule of Law, having international law by our side, so as to put into operation this planning, as far as our natural resources are concerned.

As far as the cooperation between the two Ministries is concerned, I would like to say that it is a very close cooperation. However, going deeper into this cooperation is recommended, and especially into new strategic facts in the region. We should re-plan this cooperation through new data, new frameworks and new developments in the area.

Moreover, I had the chance to discuss with the Minister of National Defence the decision of the new Government to submit a request for the Partnership for Peace and I asked the help of the Ministry of National Defence and the Minister himself in this endeavour.

The relations between the two countries are brotherly; they remain very close. We will further deepen these relations. We need to stand by each other.

Once more, I would like to thank the Minister for his good words, his support, his solidarity, and I would really like to say that in the few next months, through technocratic committees by both Ministries, we will try to implement what was decided today.

An important issue set is the issue of energy security, which was discussed today and needs very delicate and careful handling. We shall also discuss it in view of the broader cooperation we are trying to establish in this matter with Israel, as well as with other neighbouring countries, such as Lebanon and Egypt; we would really like to handle efficiently the sensitive issue of energy security, so as to see results in the next few months.

Dear Panos, thank you once more.

P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: I will say, dear Fotis, that I absolutely underwrite what you said and I mark and underline them in the most absolute and positive way.

I am also certain that even though we are living in difficult times for both Greek and Cypriot Hellenism, we will make it once again, we will go through the hammer and the anvil of history and stand on our feet once more, making continuous leaps forward.

I would like to congratulate you for the intense activity you and the Cypriot President, Nikos Anastasiadis, develop in the broader region. Recently, during the Holy Week, you made two very important visits to the State of Israel, a state with which we have enhanced our defence – and not only – cooperation.

Moreover, I would like to stress out what you said, that the Cyprus issue remains a problem of invasion and continuous occupation, and that Turkey should realise that it is good that we all show our best character in order to make the broader region an area of good partnership, harmonious coexistence of peoples, and that the threats expressed from time to time do not help towards this direction.

In any case, Greek and Cypriot Hellenism are both capable of -and we will both do it- developing policies of deterrent power, as the ones we develop, implement and process, and which can shield Greek and Cypriot Hellenism’s defence, and also decisively contribute to the restoration of a framework of harmonious coexistence, peaceful coexistence, security and stability for the peoples in the area of the South-eastern Mediterranean.

All the best and my wishes for success at all levels.