Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has said that the Greek Cypriot side pays special attention to the adoption of Confidence Building Measures, which are of vital importance for building trust between the two communities and for restoring people`s hopes for achieving a just, viable and mutually accepted solution of the Cyprus problem.
He also called for unity among the political leadership and the people of Cyprus, saying that this is imperative for the efforts to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.
The President was addressing Sunday a ceremony in the Amiantos village during which he laid a wreath at the monument of the hero Evagoras Papachristoforou and laid the foundation stone of a building that will be named after the hero in Amiantos.
President Anastasiades said that the Greek Cypriot side is ready to engage in a negotiation process that would bring a solution which will safeguard the unity of the country and the respect on the basic freedoms and human rights of the people of the island.
“The adoption of the Joint Declaration on February 11, paved the way for continuing the constructive negotiations between the two communities, aimed at finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem based on the High Level Agreements between the two communities, the UNSC resolutions and the principles and values of the EU”, he pointed out.
He stressed that his efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem constitute a priority and added that he works for a viable and just solution.
At the same time, President Anastasiades called upon the political leadership and the Cypriot society to demonstrate a spirit of unity, noting that we have been through difficult situations, but still tough struggles are ahead.
He also assured that the cooperation with third countries, and especially with Greece, are excellent.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervish Eroglu are engaged in peace talks, aiming to reunite the country under a federal roof.