President of the Cypriot parliament Yiannakis Omirou has declared his support for the Greek people in their overwhelming rejection of the EU’s austerity policies.

“These are the policies that have led to recession, unemployment, social suffering and a gap between the rich north and the poor south,” he stated.

Omirou noted that the EU should heed the message of the Greek people and change direction through investment policies, development, job creation and social cohesion, speaking during an event titled ‘Cyprus at the crossroads of national, political, economic and institutional challenges’.

“As regards Greece we expect that a mutually beneficial agreement will be reached and that the institutions will demonstrate the necessary understanding and solidarity which is a fundamental principle of the EU.”

“The agreement must address fiscal adjustment, respecting at the same time the social cohesion, and the sustainability of the public debt and should include a comprehensive reform package and provisions to finance development,” the president of the parliament said.

Moving on to the Cyprus issue, Omirou said that it is necessary to hold a parallel discussion on various issues regarding the occupation.

He stressed that there needs to be a constitution modification regarding the withdrawal of troops and settlers, the territory issue, the return of refugees starting with the abolition of the anachronistic guarantees of 1960.