President Nicos Anastasiades has said that his government’s priority is the solution of the Cyprus issue and the reunification of the island, rather than getting involved in negotiating tactics or a blame game.
Speaking Sunday in Nicosia at a Maronite church mass on the occasion of Saint Maronas’ celebration, the President said that the people of Cyprus must support the reunification process so that the solution is viable, it can lead to prosperity, growth and stability for all. He also said that the solution and the reunification must safeguard EU principles.
The President pointed out that in order for the solution to be viable, the fundamental principles for the Cyprus settlement should be clarified before a new round of talks begins.
“We do not wish for the talks to lead to a new failure because we will find ourselves before a new deadlock”, the President stressed, pointing out that every time talks lead to a new impasse, the prospects of a solution appear to be less promising.
The President expressed his conviction that Cyprus can soon be reunited in order to provide protection and security to its citizens and equal opportunities for all and at the same time be constructive in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean.
He went on to say that a prerequisite for the above is the solution to the Cyprus issue that will terminate the Turkish occupation of the island’s northern part and provide for a country free of army troops, illegal settlers, foreign occupation and safeguard the human rights for its lawful citizens.
Cyprus, an EU member since 2004, remains divided since Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third in 1974.
The latest round of UN backed talks began in 2008 but was suspended in the summer of 2012 by the Turkish side, when the Republic of Cyprus assumed the six month long presidency of the European Council.
During the past weeks the UN have been meeting with the negotiators of the two communities on the island – Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots – with the aim to reach an agreement on a joint statement that would pave the way for the resumption of the talks.