Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has pledged once again that he is working to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem based on the convergences of the joint statement him and T/C leader Dervis Eroglu concluded upon last February and which paved the way for the resumption of the community talks.
In a speech delivered by the Interior Minister during a memorial for a fallen soldier during the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island, the President noted that the convergences will lead to the development of the Cyprus Republic into a modern, European state that will safeguard the well-being of all its citizens.
Cyprus President also stressed out that his determination and commitment for a solution, should not in any way be translated as an acceptance of the positions put forward by the Turkish Cypriot side.
He said that the solution should be viable and just, should meet the concerns raised by the Turkish Cypriots, but it will not overlook the fair concerns of the Greek Cypriot side. The President also pointed out that the joint statement clearly says that the settlement will be based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation , with a single international legal personality and a single sovereignty.
The President also called for consensus in the domestic front, adding that he is disappointed because some of the political leaders make attempts to distort whatever has been agreed with the Turkish Cypriot side in the joint statement.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-backed talks are underway with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof. Last February, President Anastasiades and Dervis Eroglu agreed on a joint statement of seven points , by which they expressed their determination to resume structured negotiations in a results-oriented manner.
According to the joint statement “the negotiations are based on the principle that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.”
