The Greek Cypriot side wants a solution to the Cyprus problem the soonest possible, however not any solution will do, House President Yiannakis Omirou said on Sunday.
Speaking during a memorial service in Pafos, Omirou said that a settlement needs to safeguard the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the physical and national survival of Greek Cypriots.
Omirou further referred to Turkey`s decisive role, noting that Ankara must finally decide whether it will continue its intransigence or it will reconcile itself with the idea of a Cyprus solution, that will bring about security in the wider region and facilitate Ankara`s European aspirations.
“Our message to the international and the European community needs to be that now is the time to exert pressure on Turkey in order to abandon its continuing intransigent stance,” he noted.
In statements to the media, Omirou further underlined the need to clearly safeguard the Republic of Cyprus both legally, as well as politically and institutionally.
He said that the Republic will evolve from a unitary to a federal state and this needs to be clearly stipulated in the agreement for a Cyprus solution, as well as in the country`s constitution.
Responding to public statements from the Turkish Cypriot side, calling for a new state structure, Omirou said that we don`t have the right to endanger the Republic of Cyprus, the only legal entity subject to international law.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-led talks, aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof, resumed last May.