No statement was released following the talks between Christofias and Assad. However, ahead of his departure from Nicosia on Sunday, Christofias said he would discuss developments concerning the Cyprus question and ask the help “of a friendly country in the Islamic conference,” in an apparent reference to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), which has repeatedly and strongly called for the easing of the isolation of Turkish Cypriots.
According to Greek Cypriot media, Christofias also stated that he and Assad “will discuss issues regarding an illegal sea route between Syria and Cyprus' occupied areas and other bilateral and regional concerns as well as Syria-EU relations.”
The ferry service that was launched in the autumn of 2007 between the two port cities of Famagusta and Latakia, Syria, strained relations between Damascus and the island's internationally recognized government in the Greek Cypriot south. At the time, the Greek Foreign Ministry summoned the chargé d'affaires at the Syrian Embassy and said the move concerning the ferry service could be viewed as an “unfriendly act.” The Greek Cypriot government is concerned that the ferry link boosts the status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), which is recognized only by Turkey.
