Cypriots living abroad have expressed disappointment for the outcome of the recent effort to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem and condemned Turkey’s positions and `unacceptable demands’.
In a resolution, adopted on Wednesday by the 19thWold Congress of Overseas Cypriots, that began on the 21st of August in Nicosia, the overseas Cypriots express full support to the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus for a solution of the Cyprus problem and call upon the UN and the EU to exert their pressure on Turkey so that a positive outcome at the Cyprus talks is achieved.
In their resolution, they stress that the Cyprus problem is first and foremost an international problem due to the illegal Turkish invasion and continuing military occupation of the territory of the sovereign Republic of Cyprus and that this constitutes a violation of the international and EU law by Turkey.
They note that a solution in Cyprus must be based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, and be in accordance with the UN resolutions, the principles and values of the EU and in line with the international law.
The Cypriots living abroad expressed disappointment that the recent conference on Cyprus in the Crans Montana Swiss resort failed to yield results due to the negative and intransigent position of the Turkish side.
They condemn ‘the unacceptable Turkish demand in the negotiations in Crans Montana for the permanent presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus after a solution, the continuation of guarantees and rights of intervention, as well as the insistence of the Turkish side on provisions in the solution that would make it unworkable’.
In their resolution, the Cypriot overseas express «full support to the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot community and their determination to work tirelessly, with firm commitment and in a result oriented manner towards a solution to the Cyprus problem, which will free Cyprus from the Turkish occupation, reunite the island and its people, secure human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, as well as their common future with the EU.
Furthermore, they condemn the ongoing occupation, the destruction of the cultural heritage in the occupied areas, Turkey’s systematic policy of colonization in the occupied part of Cyprus, which constitutes a continuous and unacceptable war crime, the ongoing violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the enclaved Cypriots, on behalf of the occupation regime, actions which undermine the efforts to reunify Cyprus.
The overseas Cypriots deplore that no satisfactory progress has been achieved to the humanitarian issue of the missing persons, they consider the status quo as unacceptable and call for the immediate and unconditional return of Varosha to its lawful inhabitants and support the continuation of the negotiations under the UN auspices and with the active participation of a European Commission representative, with the aim to reach a comprehensive, just and viable, functional solution.
In addition, they call upon the International community to support the continuation of the negotiating process within the framework of the UN parameters and the UNSG’s good offices and impress upon Turkey the need to abide by the SC resolutions and the ECHR decisions and to contribute constructively to the process in order to reach a successful conclusion for the benefit of all Cypriots.
In the resolution, they call upon the UN to work for the immediate and unconditional implementation by Turkey of all UN resolutions on Cyprus and call upon the EU to demand that Turkey fulfils its commitments as a candidate for accession country, especially the ones concerning Cyprus.
Finally, they reiterate their full support for a solution that will be based on international law, the EU acquis communautaire, which will safeguard human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Cypriots.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest round of UN-peace talks commenced at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana on June 28, but in the early hours of July 7, it was announced that the Conference on Cyprus ended without an agreement. Talks held under the auspices of the UN aim at reuniting Cyprus under a federal roof.