President Nicos Anastasiades has stressed that the political solution in Cyprus must be supported by the people and must withstand difficulties to be viable and to secure stability for Cyprus and the region.
He also said that his government, just as previous government have done, pays particular attention to the protection of the cultural and religious heritage of the Maronites and more generally to the preservation of their identity.
«The Maronites in Cyprus constitute an integral part of our multicultural common homeland and represent a dynamic and productive community, which contributes positively to the development of the cultural diversity of our country,» he said.
Speaking at the celebrations in honour of St Maron, at the Maronite Cathedral of Our Lady of Graces, the President said the Maronites are a part of Cyprus that suffered a very serious blow from the Turkish invasion.
He pointed out that respect toward the Maronites reflects the respect demonstrated toward all communities and ethnic groups in Cyprus and aims at the peaceful coexistence and common creative action among them, he noted.
There is boundless support for the human rights and the roots and heritage of all those who have historically committed themselves to live in our common homeland, the President said, reiterating that this is high among the priorities of the Government, which pays close attention to the many problems Maronites are facing, most of which, as the problems of the rest of the people of Cyprus, are the result of the continuing military occupation of Cyprus’ northern part by Turkey.
He also stated that issues concerning the Maronites of Cyprus will be addressed as a matter of priority, in the talks he will have with His Holiness Pope Francis during his visit to the Vatican on 15 February.
Referring to the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, the President said that “we strive for a solution that will terminate the occupation and colonization by Turkish settlers, will free Cyprus from the foreign troops and dependencies, and which will safeguard the inalienable human rights and basic freedoms of all the legitimate citizens of Cyprus, of all the European citizens of Cyprus; a solution based on a bizonal, biccomunal federation, which will be functional and viable and will unite the people, the country, its institutions and its economy.”
“The solution of reunification and the safeguard of human rights that we seek are pursuits for all Cypriots with no exception. Tactical moves and blame games are not a priority for us. Our priority is to reach a solution and to reunite our common homeland,” he added.
The President stressed that the solution must be supported by the people and must withstand difficulties to be viable and secure stability for Cyprus and the region.
“It is for this reason that we insist that before we enter into a dialogue, we should elucidate the basic principles of the solution of the Cyprus problem with clarity and beyond all controversy. And this, because we do not want to be led toward a failure, so that we don’t find ourselves before a deadlock, which could possibly create adverse and worse prospects for a solution. These are our sincere intentions. This is our vision. This is our will for our homeland, for all our people, for our future,” he concluded