Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said that the Greek Cypriot side will participate in an informal meeting, on October 15, in New York with “cautious optimism” regarding the prospect of restarting negotiations. He emphasized, however, that they do not harbor “excessive expectations.” The Minister made these remarks on Sunday while honoring EOKA heroes Charalambos Pettemeridis and Andreas Patsalidis at a memorial service in Kannavia community.
The Minister reiterated the Greek Cypriot side’s unwavering commitment to achieving a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue, based on the principles and values of the European Union. He condemned Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side’s “intransigent stance” and their insistence on a two-state solution with sovereign equality, stating that it “cannot and will not be accepted.” Ioannou emphasized the Greek Cypriot side’s dedication to a “viable and functional solution, one that ensures peace, security, stability, and prosperity for all legal residents.”
Acknow
ledging the recent efforts that led to the scheduling of the informal meeting between the UN Secretary-General, the President of Cyprus, and the Turkish Cypriot leader in New York, Ioannou expressed cautious optimism about the potential for restarting negotiations. However, he stressed the need for convergence and urged the Turkish Cypriot side to “abandon its unreasonable demands and approach the negotiating table with a positive willingness to discuss agreed-upon frameworks.”
Ioannou praised the heroic sacrifice of the two fighters who embodied love for their homeland through their actions during the struggle for Cyprus’s liberation from British rule. He highlighted the crucial role played by the community of Kannavia, whose residents provided shelter, aid, and support to the EOKA fighters.
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.
Source: Cyprus News Agency