The resolution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, is the only acceptable solution, said on Sunday the President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, reiterating her support for the efforts of the President of the Republic in this direction.
In her speech at the annual national memorial service of the hero of the EOKA ’55-’59 liberation struggle, Panayiotis Toumazos, held in the Limassol Bishopric, Demetriou said that “in these critical moments for our country, we must be present and support every effort that will bring about the liberation and reunification of our Cyprus”.
The outcome of the recent trilateral meeting, she continued, is a positive step in the effort to resume substantive negotiations for the resolution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of UN resolutions and decisions.
“Despite the difficult political period we are going through and given that our country is at the centre of difficult and worrying developments in a
particularly troubled region, the initiative and persistence of the UN Secretary General is considered extremely important’, she added.
She also said that the decision to expand the informal meetings with the participation of Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom is also particularly important, “since the basis of the negotiations and the framework of the solution sought touches on the substance of the Cyprus problem.”
“The return to the dialogue table, with the aim of resolving the Cyprus problem, on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality is the only acceptable one”, the House President noted, adding that “this was and is our goal and on this basis we will continue to proceed, supporting every effort of the President of the Republic in this direction.”
She also pointed out that our duty to deliver a free homeland without anachronistic guarantees and occupying troops remains non-negotiable.
At the same time, Demetriou noted that Cyprus can send a strong message and become a p
illar of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, but also more widely, stressing that “this is the Cyprus we envision, this is the Cyprus our children deserve. The Cyprus of peace, hope and perspective”.
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. UN Secretary General hosted an informal meeting on October 15, in New York, with the President of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot leader.
Source: Cyprus News Agency