We firmly believe in the unifying power of the European Union and we look forward to its active support for achieving a sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue, Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, said on Monday adding that the EU can play a catalytic role at the negotiation table.
In her speech on behalf of the President of the Republic, at the church service for the October 28, 1940, anniversary (Ohi Day), held in Aradippou, Larnaca district, Raouna said that today, the ongoing occupation by Turkey for half a century of half of our homeland – a European territory, but also both wars raging on the borders of the EU, are ‘testing again the values for which our forefathers fought’.
The Deputy Minister also noted that ‘the highest duty and primary concern of the government, of President Nikos Christodoulides, is the termination of the occupation, the reunification of our country and our people’.
Raouna referred to the informal dinner held recently in New York, convened by the UN
Secretary-General in which President Christodoulides and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Ersin Tatar, participated, noting that this particular meeting ‘gave new momentum’ for further steps, aimed at a new substantive effort for the restart of negotiations, ‘always within the framework of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and European law, principles and values’.
‘We firmly believe in the unifying power of the EU and look forward to its active support for achieving a viable solution to the Cyprus problem’, she said.
We belong to the EU and we will continue to be a part of it after the solution, she added, noting that, that is why the European acquis and the European principles and values ‘are the tools that we must primarily use’. Raouna said that the EU ‘has the tools, has the answers to all the difficult issues of the negotiations and can play a catalytic role at the negotiating table’.
‘Ohi Day’, Greece’s refusal on October 28, 1940, to allow Axis troops to ent
er the country during World War II, was celebrated in Cyprus on Monday with Cabinet members attending events in all districts. The Ministers and Deputy Ministers noted that the settlement of the Cyprus issue, was a top priority for the government and President, Nikos Christodoulides and sent out the message of unity.
Transport Minister, Alexis Vafeades, who attended the church service in Larnaca, said that the struggle for freedom is continuous, while referring to the struggle for the reunification of Cyprus and for a viable and just solution that will ensure the peaceful coexistence of all the citizens of the country. ‘It requires dedication, cooperation and, above all, unity’, he said.
Today is a day of remembrance and of a debt of honour, said the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Marios Hartsiotis, who represented the government at the events held in Paphos, noting that everyone ought to keep their gaze on the Pentadaktylos mountain and on all of Cyprus’ occupied areas.
Deputy Minister of Culture,
Vasiliki Kassianidou, in her speech in Meneou, said that the government makes the most of Cyprus’ European membership, as regards the efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem.
In her speech in Astromeritis, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Marilena Evangelou, said that only with unity we can achieve the freedom and reunification of Cyprus which remains divided for half a century.
Deputy Minister of Migration, Nicholas Ioannides, in his speech in Evrychou, said, among other things, that despite the difficulties, the obstacles, ‘despite the negative attitude of the other side, we do not lose our hope’ and that it was “our duty” to remain united and continue the struggle for Cyprus’ liberation from the Turkish occupation.
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