Disy leader Averof Neophytou jointly inaugurated the new offices of the Greek party saying it was “yet more tangible proof of the brotherly relations of the two parties.”

Stergiou thanked the Disy leader and spoke of the close working relationship between the two parties. “The political developments of the last few months make this situation very crucial,” he added, and referred to Turkish activities in Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone and in the Aegean.

In joint statements earlier with Interior Minister Nicos Nouris at the Press and Information Office, Stergiou said the party was opening an office because there was a dynamic Greek community in Cyprus, and with a recent change to the law allowing Greek citizens to vote abroad it was time to have party representation on the island.

He and Nouris also discussed immigration. Stergiou said both Greece and Cyprus share a common belief that the need to tackle the immigration problem was urgent.

Nouris said views were exchanged on issues of common interest but mainly immigration.

“It is the conviction of both governments that dealing with immigration must be swift, and we recognise the fact that as European countries, countries with deep cultural and values ​​roots, we certainly have the goodwill to provide housing and protection to people who are really at risk but at the same time our countries’ resilience in terms of welcoming economic migrants is at its limits,” Nouris said.

He said the EU should take a holistic view of this problem. Stergiou added: “Our first priority is to bring this issue to a very high European level, but at the same time we need both countries to do whatever is needed to deliver the message, and that has to be in every direction.”

Source: Cyprus Mail