Cypriots living in Greece have throughout the years acted as the spearhead in efforts for a solution to the Cyprus issue, President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades has said.
In an address at the 13th Congress of the Cyprus Organisations Federation in Greece (OKOE) read out by the Director of his Office Panayiotis Antoniou, President Anastasiades referred to developments which led Cyprus in the brink of economic collapse.
In these crucial times, everyone’s priority is to save the country, he said, highlighting the fact that the need for responsible behaviour, unity and collective action.
President Anastasiades assured of his intention to work both for the country’s economic recovery and for a solution to the Cyprus issue, which as he pointed out constitutes a top priority for the country and its people.
He sent the message that his government will try to form strategic alliances in order to use its natural resources in the best way, away from prejudice and preconceptions.
However he stressed that he will not accept terms and preconditions which will challenge or that tend to challenge the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus within its Exclusive Economic Zone and the right to choose the way and timeframe of exploiting its natural wealth.
On his part in an address read out at the Congress, President of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou said that Cypriots of Greece constitute an integral part of the people of Cyprus.
Their contribution to efforts of the Cyprus people for freedom and justice has been invaluable, he noted, highlighting the importance of their presence in Greece, a natural ally of Cyprus, as he said, in its efforts for a just and democratic solution to the Cyprus issue based on international and European law principles.
Referring to the economic crisis, he said that it has cynically been admitted that Cyprus was used as guinea pig, expressing his certainty that recession, a rise of unemployment, migration of young people abroad and a rise of public debt will follow.
Omirou also spoke about the Turkish side’s continuing and increasing intransigence in the Cyprus talks, expressing the point of view that Turkey’s goal is the dissolution of the Republic of Cyprus and the creation of two separate states in the context of a confederation. Omiorou highlighted the need for a strategy to prevent this.
Ruling party DISY leader Averof Neofytou, left wing AKEL MPs Giannos Lamaris and Skevi Koutra Koukouma and other officials also addressed the event.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.
Cyprus has agreed with international lenders on €10 billion rescue package, under which, it must resolve the country`s second largest bank Cyprus Popular Bank (Laiki), and impose painful losses on deposits of more than €100,000 held at Bank of Cyprus, the largest bank of the island. Both institutions were heavily exposed to Greek deb
