Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens attended the historic address delivered by Nikos Christodoulides at the Hellenic Parliament on May 14, during which the Cypriot President sent a strong message regarding the continued struggle for the liberation and reunification of Cyprus.
President Christodoulides became only the second President of the Republic of Cyprus to address the Greek Parliament in the past fifteen years, in a speech marked by strong political and symbolic significance for relations between Greece and Cyprus.
Among those seated in the official section were Archbishop Ieronymos, former President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and other state officials.
In his address, President Christodoulides referred to the close cooperation between Greece and Cyprus, particularly in the field of defense. “The immediate response of the Greek government to our request for strengthening our defense capabilities was the precursor to an unprecedented wave of solidarity in practice from other European countries as well,” he stated.
The Cypriot President also emphasized that “there is a continuous effort to create the conditions for the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, based on the agreed United Nations framework, the negotiating acquis, and the principles, values, and law of the European Union.”
He further underlined Greece’s longstanding support for Cyprus, noting that “Greece remains the most consistent, selfless, and enduring ally and supporter of Cyprus in this effort.”
Photo: Christos Bonis / Archdiocese of Athens, Source: ANA-MPA, translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
