Mitsotakis calls for Cyprus negotiations to resume, Kasselakis to visit island

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday called for negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem to resume.

Speaking during his arrival at the European Political Community summit in the UK, he said “I hope this issue will finally be resolved”.

“In two days, on July 20, it will be 50 years since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which led to the occupation of one third of the island. I hope discussions between the two communities will resume under the auspices of the United Nations,” he said.

He added he hoped that a solution to the Cyprus problem be found “in accordance with the [UN] Security Council’s resolutions, which set the framework for the resolution of this longstanding problem.”

Meanwhile, Greek opposition party Syriza leader Stefanos Kasselakis will be present in Cyprus on Saturday events to mark the invasion.

He is set to arrive on Friday and be received by President Nikos Christodoulides, and will also hold meetings with Archbishop Georgios, House Speaker Annita Demetriou, Akel leader Stefanos Stefanou, and Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas.

The confirmation of Kasselakis’ visit means that the heads of government and of opposition of both Greece and Turkey will all be present in Cyprus on July 20.

Erdogan will attend celebrations in the north.

Mitsotakis will be attending memorials and events in the Republic to mark the anniversary of the invasion.

Turkish opposition party CHP leader Ozgur Ozel also confirmed that he will travel to Cyprus.

He added that Ayse Ayata, the daughter of late CHP member and Turkish Foreign Minister in 1974 Turan Gunes, would be in attendance.

Ayata is the “Ayse” referred to by Gunes when he said “let Ayse go on holiday” – the order which was given for the invasion to go ahead.