Cyprus president highlights importance of multilateralism for small states — Cyprus Mail
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said at a summit in New York, United States, that an effective multilateral system is particularly important for small states, as it shapes an international environment in which security does not depend on a country’s size. As Cyprus Mail reports, he spoke at the meeting “Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace and Prosperity”.
International law
Christodoulides stressed that for Cyprus, respect for international law is not an abstract or theoretical principle. According to him, the country continues to feel the consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation of 1974. The president said that Cyprus understands the importance of the consistent and universal application of the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for fundamental human rights.
The summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly was convened by European Council President António Costa, Kenyan President William Ruto and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Cypriot president welcomed the initiative and said that amid geopolitical uncertainty, multilateralism, the UN Charter and international law are needed more than ever to preserve international peace and security.
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Cyprus initiatives
Christodoulides noted that Cyprus’ EU membership and the country’s location at the crossroads of three continents enable it to serve as a bridge for cooperation, dialogue and trust. As examples of practical multilateral cooperation, he cited initiatives to provide humanitarian assistance, respond to climate change and safely evacuate third-country nationals from crisis areas.
At the same time, the Cypriot president stressed that the multilateral system must evolve and adapt to modern challenges in order to remain effective and reliable.
