Lasting peace in Palestine can only be achieved through the two-state solution in line with the UN Security Council resolutions, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Wednesday during his visit to the Palestinian Embassy in Nicosia, which organised a symbolic event on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Palmas noted that “Cyprus is a member state of the European Union, it is the only state located in the Eastern Mediterranean”, adding that “we are particularly interested in ensuring peace and tranquility in the region”.
"We are one of the first states that recognised the Palestinian state in 1988, within the framework of United Nations resolutions, we support this line and we believe that through this direction peace can be ensured in the region, which has been in turmoil for three years," he pointed out.
In the message he wrote in the guest book opened by the Embassy of Palestine, the Minister of Defence noted that “on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, Cyprus reaffirms its commitment to peace, prosperity and stability in our shared region. As one of the first States that has recognised the State of Palestine since 1988, shortly after its declaration, Cyprus has upheld consistently the principles of international law and the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people,’ he pointed out.
“Our position is clear and unwavering that lasting peace can only be achieved through the two-state solution as reflected in the UNSC Resolutions," Vasilis Palmas wrote in his message. In this context, he continued, "it is our belief that a sovereign and contiguous Palestinian State with Gaza and West Bank united as integral parts of it, and with East Jerusalem as its capital, will undeniably benefit not only the Palestinian people, but will also foster enduring conditions of security and dignity for the region as a whole.”
“Cyprus as the closest EU Member State, which will be soon assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU, reiterates that it will continue actively supporting the stabilization efforts of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, including the humanitarian field and diplomatic initiatives towards this,” he said.
For his part, the Ambassador of Palestine to Cyprus, Abdallah Attari, called for all political parties and governments around the world to work together so that "so that the Palestinian people and no people in the world ever again experience genocide.”
He added: “The guarantee for the future - for the future of our children, of the next generation - is the implementation of the decisions of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly. Therefore, we must transform the slogan ‘Stop the genocide’ into ‘End the occupation’.”
According to CNA, also present at the event were representatives from AKEL, the Ecologists' Movement, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE), PEO union, POGO and EDON, the Archbishop of Cyprus, the Armenian Archbishop, as well as the heads and representatives of the diplomatic missions of Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, India, Syria, Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, Cuba, Serbia, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Iran, Italy, Australia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Greece, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Portugal, Ireland, Armenia, Malta and Brazil, as well as the Mayor of Strovolos.
Source: CNA