ATHENS — The President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday received a congratulatory message from the Greeκ Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.

In his message, Mitsotakis stated the following:

"On the occasion of the celebration of the 60th anniversary since the founding of the Republic of Cyprus, I express to you the most cordial, fraternal wishes for the progress and prosperity of Cypriot Hellenism, as well as the entire Cypriot people, in conditions of security and peace.

Today's anniversary is different.

Because it is celebrated in the midst of continuous illegal Turkish actions against the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, both in the maritime zones and on the territory of Cyprus. This illegality has further escalated with the threats of settlement of Varosia and usurping of Greek Cypriot property there, in direct violation of international law and UN Resolutions. The full support of Greece to Cyprus is self-evident.

Dear President of the Republic of Cyprus,

We will not accept the legalisation of what was done in Cyprus, just as we will never accept the legalisation of the consequences of the ongoing Turkish occupation and Turkish settlement.

I would like to assure you that the end of the Turkish occupation and the achievement of a just, viable and operational solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, as well as the status of Cyprus as an EU member-state, remains a top national concern of Greek foreign policy.

In this context, we will not spare any effort. We are always ready to assist in the goal of resuming talks on resolving the Cyprus issue within the UN framework.

I am confident of the final success of our joint efforts, which will contribute substantially to regional, European and wider international peace, security and stability, but also to the prevailing of international law."