Recalling the permanent political consultation mechanism established between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries in the context of the Joint Declaration of 28 December l995; Reaffirming their desire and determination to preserve and maintain peace and stability in Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean, and to develop the relations between the two countries in all fields in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation, as envisaged by the Joint Declaration between their two Presidents on 20 January l997; Until such time comes when the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is formally recognised by the world and takes the place it fully deserves in the international arena as an independent and democratic State, and in the context of the special relationship established through the Joint Statement between the two countries issued in Lefko_a on 20 July l997 for the purpose of protecting the interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in foreign affairs, Agree on the following, which are aimed at establishing functional and structural cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries