Cyprus: Tripartite meeting with Egypt and Greece is not against Turkey

The tripartite meeting held yesterday between the foreign ministers of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus was not aimed at forming an alliance against Turkey, the Ambassador of Cyprus in Cairo Sotos Liassides said.

In exclusive statements to the Anadolu Agency, Liassides said the meeting came in the framework of discussing a number of regional and international issues, at the forefront of which are the situation in Palestine, Iraq and Libya.

The ambassador said: “This meeting [held in Nicosia] is not directed against Turkey, but rather to discuss ways of cooperation between the three countries as we aim to collaborate within the region.”

“If Turkey continues with its actions within our economic region by sending its warships and research vessels, the only way we can deal with Turkey is by looking to international law for arbitration.”

Commenting on media reports of the establishment of a tripartite alliance against Turkey, the Cypriot ambassador said: “This initiative (in reference to the tripartite meeting) is not against Turkey, but to ensure the safety of our area, and if it Turkey wants, it can join.”

He added: “If we manage to solve the Cyprus problem, the participation of Turkey would be welcomed, but unfortunately, until now Turkey still continues its practices.”

Liassides added, “Our purpose in this meeting is to support and improve bilateral relations with Egypt. This cooperation aims to make our region a zone of peace. So it is not a meeting against Turkey.”

The meeting came ahead of the summit to be held in Cairo on November 8 between the Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi, Greek President Karolos Papoulias and President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades.