A bizonal bicommunal federation is the only way forward for the resolution of the Cyprus problem, said DISY President Averof Neofytou and the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the ideological and political conference of ruling DISY party, held on Friday evening in Nicosia, while EPP President Manfred Weber argued that there can only be a united Europe with a united Cyprus.
In his address, DISY President Averof Neofytou said that the party guarantees the security, stability and prosperity of the country, as it has proven over the last nine years under the government of Nicos Anastasiades, having successfully managed two global crises, one economic and one health crisis, in the most difficult period since the 1974 Turkish invasion.
“The direction of the country can be found here, symbolically, in the front row: Cyprus is our homeland, Greece is our heart and Europe is our future”, stressed Neofytou, adding that Cyprus will continue to be a reliable country, with strong regional peace partnerships, honouring its history and its alliances.
Addressing the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Neofytou said that a strong Greece stands firmly beside Cyprus and with him at the helm, Greece is a reliable, strong country that seeks cooperation but does not back down under threat.
“When Greece is strong, Cyprus is equally strong”, he noted, adding that Cyprus and Greece today form an axis of peace and security, democracy and cooperation on the borders of south-eastern Europe, from Evros to Cape Greco, “with the aim of a mutually beneficial cooperation between all the countries in the region, and Turkey, if it so wishes, but with the strict condition of respecting the sovereignty and integrity of each country, and international law”.
“And with us stands Europe and the European People’s Party, Europe’s largest and most historic party, which has always supported Cyprus, condemns the Turkish invasion and calls for the opening of talks for a workable solution without occupying armies and Turkish guarantees”, continued Neofytou, thanking EPP President Manfred Weber for his firm support to both Cyprus and DISY.
The DISY leader said that the party’s proposal follows the path of responsibility, as the history of the Democratic Rally commands.
“As in the Cyprus problem, there is only one way: negotiations for a solution on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, a decentralized federation with autonomy for the two constituent states in matters of daily life. A central government for the serious issues: one sovereignty, one international personality, one citizenship, a unified economy and central exploitation of natural resources”, he explained, adding that the solution would bring all the countries in the neighbourhood into the energy equation, including Turkey.
He also said that following a Cyprus solution, Cyprus should join NATO, as “this is the only way to a secure, united and European Cyprus.”
In his address, Kyriakos Mitsotakis underlined his cooperation with Anastasiades and Neophytou as President of the New Democracy party and as Prime Minister of Greece and said that he is well aware of both their leadership skills and DISY’s dynamics.
Today’s Greece is a modern state that is moving forward and aiming high, continued the Greek Prime Minister, adding that “a strong Greece means a strong Hellenism and a strong Cyprus. That is why every success of Athens becomes a strength in Nicosia, just as every progress you make is reflected in our own progress”.
Referring to Ukraine, Mitsotakis said that the country is going through the same tragic experience as Cyprus did in 1974.
“We must not let Donetsk and Mariupol become Kyrenia and Famagusta. That is why international law remains our only compass on the national question, with a clear common goal: a just, viable, functioning solution of a bizonal bicommunal federation, above all, a solution that guarantees a future, prosperity for both communities”, he stressed, adding that “this is precisely why the two-state position is unquestioningly rejected.”
“Partition has no place either in reality or in the culture of the 21st century. The green line that divides Nicosia in two is a line of shame that must finally be erased” he said, referring to the UN-controlled buffer zone.
Greece and Cyprus have courage and their weapon is international law, said Mitsotakis, along with their strong defence, strong alliances, and the improved image of Greece and Cyprus in the world.
Concluding, the Greek Prime Minister thanked DISY for their invitation, a proof that “fraternal ties are not limited to our party leaderships, but they are firmly rooted in the basis of our parties”, and wished Averof Neofytou good luck in the coming elections.
Taking the floor, EPP leader Manfred Weber said that the DISY congress is taking place in critical times, as there is war again in Europe, adding that Cypriots “know first-hand what it means to be attacked, how it feels to live in a divided country”.
“Ukraine has been a wake-up call. At the same time, we must not forget about the Mediterranean and the Cyprus issue in particular. We stand united behind Cyprus and expect Turkey to respect the sovereignty of Cyprus. The two-state solution proposed by Turkey is unacceptable. Our position on the Cyprus issue has always been crystal clear: Cyprus issues are European issues. There can only be a united Europe with a united Cyprus” he stressed.
Weber thanked President Anastasiades for his strong determination and commitment to the vision of ending Turkish occupation and reunifying Cyprus, his will to set the negotiations back on track and his “brave” Confidence Building Measures.
Referring to EU enlargement, he said that the EPP fully supports the candidate status for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and that a clear timeline is needed for the Western Balkans. “At the same time, it must be clear that the EU has geopolitical-cultural boundaries. Therefore, Turkey cannot become an EU member. But we want a reunited Cyprus in our united Europe”, he pointed out.
Weber expressed his strong support towards the candidacy of DISY leader for the upcoming presidential elections in Cyprus next year. “I am sure that the Cypriots will place their faith in Averof Neofytou, so that he can continue the successful path of prosperity and stability for Cyprus” he concluded.
Source: Cyprus News Agency