The promotion of “regional cooperation through interconnectivity makes the region more secure and resilient in an environment of generalized instability,” Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis said following the trilateral meeting of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel in Athens on Thursday.
Attending the meeting were Foreign Ministers of the Cyprus Republic Constantinos Kombos and of Israel Gideon Sa’ar.
Gerapetritis said that Greece has exhausted all diplomatic channels to highlight the Cyprus issue as a major issue on the agenda of the UN Secretary General, who is calling an extensive meeting on March 17 and 18. “Greece will always support the Cyprus Republic’s efforts for a just and viable solution on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as delineated by UN Security Council resolutions,” the Greek FM said. “In a world full of challenges, division cannot serve as a solution; only a synthesis may be a solution,” he added.
Gerapetritis said that Greece looked forward to the reactivation of the trilateral meeting with the participation of the United States (“3+1”) and the reactivation of the trilateral cooperation’s permanent secretariat, with Nicosia as its base. He said he had raised the issue with US State Secretary Mark Rubio during his visit to Washington and it “was positively received”.
“We promote the boosting of cooperation and our joint actions in the sectors of trade, economy, protection of the marine environment, civil protection, and cybersecurity,” the Greek FM said of the trilateral cooperation, adding, “We especially highlight our joint energy cooperation and interconnectivity, which is recognized and encouraged by International Law.”
