The peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem remains the highest priority, President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, said in an address at an event organised by the Committee of Occupied Municipalities, on Monday at the Tomb of Makedonitissa, to commemorate those fallen during the 1974 Turkish invasion.
The address was delivered on behalf of President Anastasiades by Government Spokesperson, Marios Pelekanos.
The President of the Republic assured the refugees of his unwavering commitment to the reunification of Cyprus, as well as the strong will to continue the struggle, based on unity and solidarity.
In addition, President Anastasiades said that it is necessary for the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus to guarantee independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as to lead to a new regime completely free of anachronistic guarantees, invasive rights and the presence of foreign troops.
“It is clear, and we have proven it in practice, that we absolutely respect the sensitivities of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots. At the same time, however, we are prioritising the necessary security measures for the Greek Cypriots,” said the President of the Republic.
Furthermore, he noted that his concern is the solution that will be achieved should create the conditions that will allow all the legitimate residents of our country to co-create and coexist peacefully in conditions of security, progress and prosperity.
President Anastasiades spoke about the excessive claims put forward by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, as well as the sincere intention of our side to take part in a new round of negotiations at any time, adding that it is required that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots demonstrate in practice the goodwill which they profess to have.
In addition, he underlined that any threats or actions questioning either the sovereign rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus or the clear status of the fenced off city of Famagusta, do not contribute in this direction.
Furthermore, he said that he expects the foundations to be laid that will allow the UN Secretary General to proceed with the discussion of the Confidence Building Measures proposed by our side and then to resume a dialogue on equal terms.
On his part, the President of the Committee of Occupied Municipalities and Mayor of Kythrea, Dr. Petros Kareklas, said that “as long as we are alive we will not stop fighting for the right to freely return to our ancestral homes.”
“Let us all pass on to our youth the love for the places that our young men and women have not known, and let us give them space to create the conditions for reunification and peaceful coexistence in a state free from occupying troops, in a privileged European state, which will protect their basic human rights,” he added.
“Let us learn from history to avoid the tragic mistakes of the past,” he concluded.
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.
Source: Cyprus News Agency