The resumption of the dialogue for a Cyprus settlement is our primary concern and the Greek Cypriot side, via the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, is ready to respond any time, in a spirit of cooperation, to the call for talks, said on Sunday the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Elikkos Elia, in a speech on behalf of the government during an annual memorial of the fallen and a prayer for the discovery of the missing persons from Alambra municipality, in Nicosia district.
He added that the provocative rhetoric, intransigence and insistence of the Turkish side to a two-state solution cannot be accepted either in Cyprus or by the European and international community, adding that the Turkish side should abandon its unacceptable demands and actions and proceed to the table with a constructive attitude, aiming at a comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem.
In his speech, Elia also noted that “the issue of missing persons remains a bleeding wound and does not a
llow us to give up the effort. Despite the recovery and identification of the remains of many missing persons, we will not rest until the last missing person’s family learns about the fate of their loved ones,” Elia continued, adding that fifty years later, the sacrifice of our heroes awaits vindication.
“We have not and will not give up the effort to resolve the Cyprus problem. With perseverance and dedication, the President of the Republic is working with the sole objectives of removing the fait accompli created by the ongoing illegal occupation, ensuring the basic human rights and freedoms of all legal residents of Cyprus and the reunification of our homeland. With concrete and targeted diplomatic initiatives, we envision a Cyprus of justice and democracy, a Cyprus where all legal residents, especially the young people, will live in peace and progress collectively”, he continued.
He also stressed the Turkish side should abandon its unacceptable demands and actions and proceed to the table with a construc
tive attitude, aiming at a comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem.
“A solution based on the principles and values of our great European family and on international law. A solution that respects the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and creates the conditions that will give all Cypriots the right to live and create in a modern, European, normal state, in conditions of security and progress,” he added.
“The resumption of dialogue is our primary concern. The Greek Cypriot side, via the President of the Republic, is ready to respond any time, in a spirit of cooperation, to the call for talks. Our will to find a final and workable solution on the basis of the agreed framework is clear. We expect the Turkish Cypriot side to show similar will to move forward for the benefit of our country and our people, the European community and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region’, he concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repea
ted 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.
Source : Cyprus News Agency