In the framework of his visit to France, the President of the House
of Representatives Mr Yiannakis Omirou, had a meeting this morning with the
President of the French Senate, Mr Jean - Pierre Bel .
After the meeting, Mr Omirou made the following statements: “I would
like to say that it was a great pleasure to meet with the President of the
Senate. It has really been a very cordial and constructive meeting and exchange
of views.
I had the opportunity to elaborate on our views both regarding the
economic situation in Cyprus and in Europe at large, as well as the need for a
change of direction. We think along the same lines with the President, as we
share the same concern to pass from the policies of one-sided austerity and
tough fiscal discipline to policies of growth, creating new jobs and social
cohesion and solidarity.
Certainly our discussion focused on the Cyprus’ problem. I explained
our stances, namely that Turkey must be pressed by our European partners to
comply with its obligations relating to Cyprus otherwise the perspectives for a
solution cannot be optimistic.
France is a country that has always stood by the side of the Cypriot
people, as a permanent member of the Security Council, and has backed Cyprus’
accession to the European Union. This continues to be a firm and constant
position of France and as the President assured me this warm support of Cyprus’
stances will continue today in the new context created with the resumption of
talks for resolving the Cyprus’ problem.
I had also the opportunity to censure Turkey over the illegal acts of
violating the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in its Exclusive
Economic Zone and to explain that the hydrocarbons located in our country’s EEZ
are a great opportunity for Cyprus and the region but also for Europe’s energy
self-sufficiency. And I would like to say that we totally agreed on this
too.”
