Interior Minister, Nicos Nouris, has pledged the government’s dedication to finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, that is based on the high level agreements, the UN resolutions and the acquis communautaire.
He was speaking during a memorial service for the EOKA liberation struggle hero, Michael Olympiou from Lympia village, noting that a solution should provide for an end to the anachronistic treaties of guarantee and the presence of occupation troops and should be functional. “A solution that secures, most of all, the human rights of all the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots,” he said.
However, the Minister said, Turkey’s tactics and aggressive rhetoric poisons relations between the two sides, both with its arrogant stance and by provocatively demanding a two-state solution.
Its illegal actions are against the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and maintain the deadlock in the negotiations for a Cyprus settlement, he added.
He welcomed Washington’s decision to lift the embargo on the sale of weapons to the Republic of Cyprus, noting it is a decision which justifies the government of Nicos Anastasiades for its firm policy which cements regional stability.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invade and occupied the island’s northern third.
Source: Cyprus News Agency