GREECE CAN learn from the Cypriot experience in the search for hydrocarbons, said Evangelos Venizelos, the newly elected head of centre-left Greek party PASOK yesterday.
Speaking after a meeting with President Demetris Christofias at the Presidential Palace, Venizelos said he came to Nicosia to kick off his international tour “not only for symbolic, historic and sentimental reasons but for reasons that are deeply political”.
The former Greek finance minister was joined by a delegation of PASOK officials, including Greece’s Deputy Energy Minister Yiannis Maniatis, who discussed the “critical issues” of the day with the president.
Regarding hydrocarbon explorations, Venizelos said: “The Cypriot example is very important for the Greek case. In Greece, I stress once again, we are fully aware of our sovereign rights and our obligation to future generations.”
He added: “The delimitation of the continental shelf, exclusive economic zone and all maritime borders is an act of respect for international law. An inviolable rule and principle of our policy is the full compliance with international law in a spirit of good neighbourly relations, good faith and willingness to cooperate with other countries in the region.”
Referring to Cyprus’ upcoming EU Presidency, he said this could act as a “small catalyst” since it brings forward in a strong institutional manner the issue of recognition of the Cyprus Republic by all those countries with European ambitions.
“We want to help their European prospects and integration, though this requires respect for European principles and law,” he said in an obvious reference to Turkey.
The Greek party leader also discussed the eurozone with Christofias, noting that as finance minister in previous months he cooperated closely with his Cypriot counterpart and in general with the Cyprus government to tackle the economic crisis in a spirit of solidarity.
“Greece has made a huge effort to get back on its feet and finally overcome the crisis,” he said.
Venizelos said he was also interested in looking at plans for the banking sectors of both Greece and Cyprus.
His meeting with the president was “substantive and mutually beneficial”, he said, adding, “And once again I’d like to stress that the Cyprus issue is for us always a top national priority, key to our national strategy”.
The PASOK leader is due to meet with all parliamentary party leaders before leaving the island.
