For 41 years now we are more than ready to discuss the solution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the High Level Agreements, the UN resolutions, the European acquis communautaire and the human rights, President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades has stressed.
In statements to the press on Saturday after attending the religious service for The Assumption of the Virgin Mary, in Prodromos, a village on the Troodos mountains, President Anastasiades noted that the Greek Cypriot side is for 41 years more than ready to discuss about the solution of the Cyprus issue.
Asked if he is ready for the 1st of September, when the Cyprus talks will resume after the short summer break, President Anastasiades said that the substantive phase of the Cyprus talks has already begun, noting “it would be wrong to say that we are now ready. The Greek Cypriot side has been more than ready for 41 years now to discuss on the basis of the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979, the UN resolutions, the European acquis communautaire and the human rights”.
He expressed the hope that neither the Turkish Cypriot side nor Turkey will withdraw from the position that the Cyprus issue has to be solved on the basis of the joint communique of the 11th of February 2014.
Invited to comment on statements made by UN Secretary General`s Special Advisor for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide that November and December will be the most crucial months for the Cyprus issue, the Cypriot President said that `we have clarified that we do not accept any timeframes, not because we do not want to speed up the solution – our position is that we want a solution to be found the soonest possible – but we can not evaluate the progress at the Cyprus talks based on timeframes”.
Pressure, either due to time or by third parties, does not work towards the goal which is a solution, acceptable by the Greek Cypriot side, he added.
The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since May 2004, is still divided by Turkish troops which invaded against the island in the summer of 1974. Turkey occupies 37% of Cyprus` territory. UN led talks aiming at reunifying the island under a federal system resumed in May 2015.