Nicosia: Small states must read and be very well informed about international developments and work based on a specific plan and design, to strengthen all their elements of power, said the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, on Friday, adding that “this is what we are doing today as the county’s government.”
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides was speaking at a conference marking the 70th anniversary of the start of the EOKA struggle. He analyzed the Makarios – Harding negotiations in the Independence Agreements, discussing the diplomatic history of the Cyprus issue during the period 1955-1959. He emphasized that the geographical location of Cyprus at a strategic crossroads in the Middle East has been and remains a significant factor in its diplomatic history.
The President highlighted that Turkey has maintained consistent goals and aspirations concerning the Cyprus issue, in contrast to the fluctuating policies of the Greek side. He noted that Athens and Nicosia have often been reactive rather than proactive, which has led to shifts in objectives and a drain on resources.
President Christodoulides stressed the importance of external factors in the diplomatic history of Cyprus and pointed out that while the Greek side was not powerless, international political circumstances often influenced the outcomes to its disadvantage. He highlighted the need for clear positions, stable goals, and alignment with regional realities to mitigate the impact of external factors.
He concluded by stating that excellent relations between Athens and Nicosia, based on substance rather than public declarations, could help in leveraging opportunities that arise from international developments. The successful EOKA struggle, he said, had bolstered Cyprus’s diplomatic efforts and could serve as a model for future initiatives.