Nicosia: The European Union constitutes the best safeguard for implementing a solution to the Cyprus problem and for a peaceful future in Cyprus, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Saturday. The President made the statement upon arriving at the old Nicosia Town Hall for the opening of the Photography and Newspaper Exhibition titled ’70 Years of EOKA 1955-1959′, organized by the PIO in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the President addressed the reaction of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhrman, regarding his statement on the necessity of withdrawing Turkish troops from Cyprus and abolishing the guarantees. He clarified that his statement on abolishing the outdated guarantees system and withdrawing Turkish troops was not a direct response to the points raised by the Turkish Cypriot leader. Instead, it was a reiteration of the Greek Cypriot side’s long-standing position, which is underscored by Cyprus’s status as an EU member state.
The President emphasized that the EU is vital for both implementing the solution and ensuring a peaceful future in Cyprus. He further stated that all related issues should be addressed at the negotiating table, continuing from where discussions halted in Crans-Montana. He expressed hope for a positive approach, underscoring that the current status quo cannot resolve the Cyprus problem. He affirmed readiness to return to negotiations with goodwill.
Referring to the PIO’s exhibition on the 1955-1959 EOKA struggle, President Christodoulides highlighted that a sustainable resolution to the Cyprus problem would require respect and recognition of each side’s history, rather than self-negation.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. Numerous rounds of UN-led peace talks have yet to produce results, with the latest negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana ending without conclusion.