The optimization of cooperation and coordination between Nicosia and Athens, but also the promotion of their common aspirations within the EU, is the goal of the establishment of the Cyprus – Greece Supreme Cooperation Council as a bilateral cooperation body, which was announced yesterday by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulidis, and the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

According to diplomatic sources, this is a very important step that will contribute to substantial progress in various sectors, such as shipping and energy, and to the achievement of common goals. It was also mentioned that until today, Cyprus had a corresponding institutionalized cooperation only with Egypt, and Greece with several countries of the Balkans.

In the context of this institutionalized intergovernmental cooperation, meetings of the Cabinet will be held at regular intervals in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Prime Minister of Greece.

The diplomatic sources reported that during their talks yesterday, Christodoulidis and Mitsotakis exchanged views on issues of the European agenda and there was coordination for the upcoming European Council, stressing that beyond the national issue, the President of the Republic wants Cyprus’ strong presence at the European level with interventions.

They also noted that President Christodoulidis intends to make an intervention at the upcoming European Council regarding immigration and in relation to the elaboration of the European Commission’s Action Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean in accordance with the Conclusions of the European Council of February.

It was also mentioned that the participation of the President of the Republic of Cyprus in the EPP group, in which Kyriakos Mitsotakis also participates, provides the possibility of further collaborations and contributes to the promotion of common goals.

Regarding energy, it was noted that the intensification of efforts to wean the EU off Russian Natural Gas creates opportunities for further energy cooperation between Cyprus and Greece to highlight the alternative corridor of the Eastern Mediterranean to the EU.

With regard to the tripartite mechanisms, it was emphasized that they highlight the role of Greece and Cyprus as pillars of stability and security in an unstable region. Besides, the two sides discussed developments in the region as well as regional issues.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, the same sources reiterated that President Christodoulidis informed Prime Minister Mitsotakis of the need for more active involvement of the EU, in order to change Turkey’s intransigent attitude, to break the impasse and restart the solution process, always within the UN framework.

Source: CNA

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