House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou expressed her dismay with the operation of the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime’s ‘representative office’ in Oman, during a meeting on Tuesday with the new Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman in Cyprus, Mohammed Abdullah Al Nahdi, while he said that Oman opposes violations of international law and assured her that his country will continue to support, at every opportunity, efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem. A parliament press release says that Demetriou, who received the new Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman in Cyprus, welcomed him to the House of Representatives and wished him every success in his new duties. Referring to the Cyprus problem, the President of the House of Representatives expressed her appreciation for the principled stance of the Sultanate of Oman and underlined the desire of the Greek Cypriot side to resume talks as soon as possible, with the aim of reaching a solution, in accordance with international law and the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, for the benefit of the entire Cypriot people, the statement said. Demetriou noted that, ‘unfortunately’ the Turkish side insists on partitionist claims and the international recognition of an illegal separatist entity, as a condition to participate in talks, it is added. Such claims, she stressed, states the announcement, which violate international law and the resolutions of the United Nations on Cyprus, under no circumstances can be accepted. Demetriou also expressed to the Ambassador of Oman her displeasure with the operation of a ‘representative office’ of the of the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in his country, noting that, the acceptance by legitimate states of such actions implies the indirect legalisation of the Turkish invasion and occupation, according to the statement. The Ambassador stated that Oman opposes violations of international law and assured the Speaker of the House that his country will continue to support, at every opportunity, efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, the statement said. ‘He noted that Oman respects its neighbours and seeks the peaceful resolution of disputes through diplomacy’, it is noted. At the same time, the press release adds, he expressed thanks for the support of Cyprus as regards his country’s relations with the European Union. During the meeting, it is noted, the friendly relations between the two countries since the early 70s and the prospects for further development of cooperation in areas of common interest, such as shipping, investments and higher education, were noted. In particular, both sides expressed the will to continue and further strengthen Cyprus-Oman inter-parliamentary relations and discussed possible ways to achieve this goal, the announcement concludes. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency