The President of the Cyprus Parliament Annita Demetriou received on Tuesday the Archbishop of America Elpidophoros, who is in Cyprus to attend the events for the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island and the AHEPA annual world conference.

During the meeting, they discussed the Cyprus issue and the migration influxes on the island and exchanged views on the problem of hate speech and how it affects democracy.

According to a press release by the Parliament, Demetriou noted that the survival of Cypriot Hellenism in Cyprus depends on the unity and joint efforts of all the Hellenes to solve the Cyprus issue, based on the agreed solution framework of bizonal, bi-communal federation, as provided for by the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

She referred to the high numbers of irregular and illegal arrivals of migrants, pointing out that the escalation of the issue is also due to the instrumentalization of the situation by Turkey.

The Archbishop of America said that he is moved
by his visit to the martyred island of Cyprus and underlined the support of the Archdiocese of America in the continuous efforts of the Republic of Cyprus for the solution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of the island.

He emphasized that the diaspora in the USA, with the help of AHEPA always supports Cyprus and the struggle of the Cyprus people to reunite their homeland.

Regarding the dangers posed by the spread of hate speech and extremism, it was pointed out that these issues are serious threats to democracy, the rule of law and institutions such as Parliaments and Churches.

Demetriou said that we all have a responsibility to protect these institutions and to support the truth, against populism and fake news.

Demetriou and Archbishop Elpidophoros also exchanged views on current issues of common interest that specifically concern the Greek-American community.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have s
o far failed to yield results.

The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue.

Source: Cyprus News Agency