By Peter Stevenson
THE ECONOMIC crisis will not change the national priorities of Greece or Cyprus, Greece’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos said on Friday
Venizelos met with President Nicos Anastasiades, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, House Chairman Yiannakis Omirou and party representatives on his one-day visit.
Speaking after his meeting with the president he said the two discussed the Cyprus problem, the situation in the Middle East and the financial crisis.
“We must declare – the Greek Republic but I am sure the Republic of Cyprus as well – that the financial crisis will not change our priorities in relation to foreign policy or the protection of national integrity and national sovereign interests,” he said.
Venizelos added that the financial crisis is currently affecting both countries as well as the EU and is affecting foreign policy but stressed it will not adversely change it.
“It is very important that we take advantage of our national resources, and have a full understanding because the area raises both new problems and new opportunities,” he said.
The Greek foreign minister met Kasoulides earlier in the day and discussed a wide range of subjects including the Cyprus problem, natural gas, Turkey and the turbulence in the Middle East. Talks will continue between the pair in Athens on July 15 when Kasoulides travels to Greece.
“We mean it when we say our hopes during the resumption of talks in October is to find a solution, so we will see if the other side means it too,” Kasoulides said.
Venizelos added that solving the problem would benefit Cyprus economically and improve relations in the region.
“Greece has a very large and direct interest in resolving the problem in a smooth manner,” he said.
The Greek foreign minister added that his trip to Cyprus was aimed at finding out at what stage both sides are in the negotiations.
Referring to developments in energy, Venizelos said that the research and exploitation of natural resources, pipelines and terminals changes the basis of a country’s geostrategic relationships and enhances both Cyprus’ and Greece’s role in the area.
Speaking about cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and Israel, Kasoulides noted that it will add value to the common EU foreign policy with energy being the driving force behind it.
Venizelos stated that such cooperation is aimed at making the Mediterranean region one of coexistence, peace and culture. He added that the discovery of natural gas in the region has added a new dimension.
The Greek foreign minister was due to leave late last night.