Nicosia: Defence Minister, Vasilis Palmas, has expressed the expectation that all sides will demonstrate the same genuine political will to create the conditions for a return to the negotiating table on the Cyprus problem.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Palmas was speaking on Sunday morning during a memorial service at the Church of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene in Pachyammos, held in memory of those who fell heroically in the battles of Tylliria, where he represented the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides. He reiterated Nicosia's commitment to a 'functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem', within the agreed United Nations framework, international law, and the principles and values of the European Union.
Palmas stated that a significant effort is currently underway to restart the negotiating process, based on the clear political will of the Republic of Cyprus. He expressed hope that the same genuine political will would be demonstrated by all sides, so that the conditions could be created for a return to the negotiating table.
'Achieving a solution that will restore unity, safeguard security, and offer a future of freedom and prospects for all lawful residents of the Republic of Cyprus will be the best tribute to all those who sacrificed themselves for their homeland,' he stressed.
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 Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in a broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. Mara Angela Holgun, Guterres' Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.