Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (R) welcomes Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades at the Prime Minister's Office in Athens, Greece, on Sept. 17, 2018. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and visiting Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades during a Monday meeting stressed the fundamental role of close cooperation between both countries to resolve the Cyprus problem and tackle regional issues. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
by Maria Spiliopoulou
ATHENS, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and visiting Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades during a Monday meeting stressed the fundamental role of close cooperation between both countries to resolve the Cyprus problem and tackle regional issues.
"We work for stability and peace in the wider region and of course to create the conditions for a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus issue," Tsipras said, according to an e-mailed statement issued from his office, welcoming Anastasiades.
Anastasiades said, on his part, "Let us hope that developments in New York are such that they help in starting a creative dialogue once again, provided the Secretary General finds that the conditions are right."
"Once again I thank you and certainly our close cooperation is the foundation of efforts to address the Cyprus issue, and all issues we face," the Cyprus leader added.
Monday's meeting in Athens was held to discuss developments in the Cyprus issue ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month, as well as various initiatives in the region.
It comes after contacts UN Secretary-General's envoy, Jane Holl Lute, held with all sides lately regarding the Cyprus issue, aimed at the restart of dialogue to reach an agreement.
The latest round of UN-mediated negotiations to resolve the Cyprus issue, which have been going on for decades, ended in disagreement last year.
The Mediterranean Sea island has been divided since 1974 after Turkish troops occupied the north part following a coup engineered by the military rulers of Greece at the time.
