The Republic of Cyprus granted late on Saturday its consent to the appointment of a personality by the United Nations, who will look into prospects of resuming talks, in response to a relevant request by the UN Secretary-General, President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday.
Addressing an annual anti-occupation event by Morphou Municipality, at Astromeritis, close to the barricade that blocks the road leading to the Turkish-occupied town of Morphou, the President referred to his participation in the Informal European Council, in Granada, Spain noting that what he heard there was “towards the right direction.”
He also stressed that possibly in the forthcoming period we will hear public announcements from the side of the UN, from the side of the UN Secretary-General in particular, indicating that such a development, the appointment of a personality who will look into the prospects for the resumption of talks, will be a first step in the right direction that could – if the appropriate political will is demonstrated – lead to more general positive developments for all parties involved in the Cyprus issue.
He reiterated that he is “ready to move towards this direction.”
The President said that in response to a request from the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Republic of Cyprus has granted consent to the appointment of a personality from the United Nations who will look into the prospect of resuming settlement talks.
He also referred to events unfolding since Saturday morning in neighbouring Israel, saying that they remind us that “there are no frozen conflicts, there are no frozen crises.”
‘We see in the most tragic way what is unfolding in neighbouring Israel’, he stressed and expressed “the undivided support of the Republic of Cyprus to the friendly country of Israel, hoping that those initiatives will soon be taken, so that everything we see on television will stop”.
In statements after the event, President Christodoulides said that the Government has not been informed of a specific name of a personality by the United Nations, who will look into the prospects of resuming settlement talks, noting however that the UN appreciate the prospect and value of such an appointment. At the same time, he expressed the hope that specific announcements will follow soon by the UN.
Asked about the reference in his speech earlier at the event, on the appointment of a personality, the President of the Republic said that “we have been asked from the UN whether we agree with the appointment of an envoy to investigate the prospects of resuming talks and late in the afternoon yesterday, we have given our consent.”
‘I hope that there will be positive responses, positive developments from the other involved parties as well, and that soon the Secretary General will proceed with such an announcement’, he added.
“It was something we sought from the very beginning, and I hope that soon there will be concrete announcements from the UN side,” the President said.
Asked if he is aware of any names, the President of the Republic said “no, we have not been informed of a specific name.’
The President was also asked to comment on relations with Russian Federation, in light of a recent incident involving the detention and deportation of a Russian journalist from Cyprus and Moscow’s subsequent reaction. He replied that he does not want to make any public statements on public safety matters.
“Relations with the Russian Federation are defined within the framework of our status as an EU member state. There is an illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, as it was in Cyprus in 1974 and quite rightly the Republic of Cyprus is in right side of history,” he said.
Refugees call for talks to resume soon
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Addressing the same event in Astromeritis, Morfou Mayor, Victor Hadjiavraam, said that the refugees and the people of Cyprus ask for decisive initiatives to be undertaken by the government, so that talks can resume soon. He noted that the only way to break the deadlock and reach a framework for a viable settlement is through continuous diplomatic efforts.
The President of the Community Council of Astromeritis, Aris Constantinou, also addressed the event, saying that the people of Cyprus still have faith and hope that they will return to their now occupied home towns and villages. The President of the Association of Occupied Communities of Nicosia, Lefteris Antoniou, noted from his part that the international organizations, who safeguard the international law, should force Turkey to come to terms with it and end the continuous occupation of Cyprus.
British MP, Caroline Nokes, conveyed solidarity and support for the people of Morfou, while address the event. She underlined that ‘Cyprus has strong friends and supporters from across the House’ and reassured that ‘the only acceptable solution is the one agreed within the framework of Bizonal Bicommunal federation, with political equality, as outlined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.’
Slovenian MP, Dusan Stojanovic, reassured about the support of his fellow colleagues in the Slovenian parliament for a just and viable solution of the Cyprus issue. ‘I will continuously and relentlessly speak out for my Cypriot brothers and sisters,’ he noted. Addressing the crowd in Greek, he encouraged the people not to give up and keep the fight.
After the event, the crowd marched towards the crossing point of Astromeritis, where the Mayor handed over to the UN personnel a resolution, which was approved earlier. The resolution notes that ‘a solution to the Cyprus Question is sought through peace talks held under the auspices of the United Nations as part of the UN Secretary-General’s good offices mission.’
‘We envision a free and reunited Cyprus, a common homeland of Greek Cypriots, Turkish-Cypriots, Armenians, Maronites and Latins (Roman Catholics), a model of peaceful coexistence and prosperity of all its citizens and a pillar of stability, peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean,’ continues the resolution.
It goes on to say that a solution that will be in line with the European acquis and fully respect the principles of the EU, should provide the complete withdrawal of all foreign troops, the abolition of the anachronistic guarantee system, the withdrawal of all settlers, the return of the refugees to their homes and properties, the safeguarding of the three basic freedoms, freedom of movement, settlement and the right to property, recognition of the owner’s right to override the user’s right to property, the ascertainment of the fate of all missing persons and the unity of the State, institutions, society and the economy.
Concluding, the resolution notes that ‘the double standard between the world reaction of Ukraine and Cyprus has shaken our faith in Democratic principles, human rights and the effectiveness of the United Nations,’ after the invasion of Russia in Ukraine. ‘For this reason we call on the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and you, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, to finally hold Turkey accountable and end the 49-year occupation of 36% of the Republic of Cyprus,’ notes the resolution.
House President, Annita Demetriou, who accompanied the Mayor, conveyed to the UN personnel that their role in Cyprus is much appreciated. She also noted that actions, such as the recent attack from Turkish Cypriots against UNFICYP at the Pyla crossing point, are unacceptable. The House President underlined the need for peace and for the reunification of Cyprus. Referring to the latest developments in Israel, Demetriou noted that Cyprus could be an example of peace and stability in the region. She said finally that the appointment of a UN envoy would be important for the resumption of talks.
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