The upcoming meeting of the President of the Republic of Cyprus with the Turkish Cypriot leader next Tuesday in New York is a glimmer of hope for the achievement of the essential goal, which cannot be anything else than the resumption of talks on the basis of the agreed framework, from the point where they stopped in Crans Montana seven years ago and the conclusion of an agreed solution, said the Mayor of Morphou, Viktor Hadjiavraam.
He was speaking at the event for the annual Morphou anti-occupation march held at the Municipality’s Cultural Centre in Astromeritis, which was also addressed by President Nikos Christodoulides.
Unfortunately, he added, we have been observing with concern that the already harsh attitude of Turkey on the Cyprus problem, becoming even worse, a position, he stressed, that can never be accepted. “Cyprus is one, and the solution must be one: A bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined by the relevant United Nations resolutions.”
We must strive to return to
negotiations for a solution with full respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, he noted, adding that this is the only way to a solution to the Cyprus problem.
A resolution by all Morphou local actors, which was handed by Morphou Deputy Mayor Stelios Palaontas to a representative of the UN peacekeeping force at the Astromeritis checkpoint, calls on the UN Secretary General to finally hold Turkey responsible “and to press it to return to the negotiating table with the aim of ending the occupation of 36% of the Republic of Cyprus.”
“We envision a free and reunited Cyprus for all its legitimate inhabitants, a solution that is compatible with European law, provides for the full withdrawal of foreign troops, the abolition of the anachronistic system of guarantees, the withdrawal of settlers, the return of refugees to their homes and properties,” it says among other things.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its n
orthern 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
Source: Cyprus News Agency