Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides expressed on Wednesday his readiness to sit at the table for dialogue “even tomorrow” for finding a solution to the Cyprus issue based on the agreed framework, noting that a necessary condition “for the success of our struggle” was a strong domestic front.
In a written statement on the anniversary of the second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, Christodoulides said that today marked 50 years since the second phase “of Turkey’s barbaric invasion that forcibly divided Cyprus, occupied it, expelled thousands of our compatriots and determined, in a tragic way, the future of Cyprus, its people and modern history”.
He condemned this “crime” against Cyprus, as well as the ongoing Turkish occupation, noting “We do not forget. We honour and commemorate the fallen, the missing, those who fought heroically, the refugee women and children”, he added.
At the same time, he noted, that “we know very well that vindication will only come through the comprehensive resolution of the Cyprus problem, liberation, reunification, when actual conditions of peace and security prevail in Cyprus”.
The current situation is not and cannot be the future of Cyprus and our children, the President of the Republic noted. “No solution is not a solution”, he stressed.
Christodoulides noted that from the first day of assuming his duties, he has been “working tirelessly” for the deadlock to break and the talks to restart, with the aim of a solution to the Cyprus issue the soonest possible.
A successful conclusion to the effort by the UN Secretary-General that has been ongoing for the last few months, “as a result of the recognition of our clear political will by the international community for a solution to the problem”, is the only goal, he added.
Christodoulides said he was ready to sit at the table for dialogue “even tomorrow”, for a solution based on the agreed framework, the negotiated acquis and the principles and values of the EU, “of which Cyprus is a member state and will continue to be even after the solution of the Cyprus issue”.
He noted that the challenges faced within the framework of efforts for a solution to the Cyprus issue could be addressed through the European acquis, which, as he said, ensures the interests and basic freedoms of all European citizens.
The president also said that a necessary condition “for the success of our struggle” in this effort was a strong front at home and continuous efforts for a strong and prosperous Republic of Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
In January, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue.
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