G/C side does not tolerate blackmail wherever it comes from, President says
The Greek Cypriot side does not tolerate blackmail or strict timeframes in efforts to bring about a settlement to the Cyprus problem wherever it comes from, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has said.
His comments came following a statement by the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s spokesperson that “the UN chief expressed the hope that the two leaders would overcome this deadlock during the upcoming visit of his Special Adviser, from 4 to 8 November, and resolve any other outstanding issues so that the date for the first leaders` meeting can be set and fully-fledged negotiations can resume without further delay.”
Reiterating his determination to work tirelessly to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem as soon as possible, Anastasiades said “I would like to make clear once and for all that we do not tolerate blackmail and strict timeframes wherever they come from satisfying the vision of some to embark on a dialogue for the sake of the dialogue without the principles, the decisions and the UN resolutions being safeguarded by those who represent the International Organisation.”
In the last month the negotiators of the two sides have been engaged into discussions over the agreement of a joint statement that would enable the resumptions of the talks aiming at reuniting Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.
“It should be that trust to some is given or taken back if through certain actions they demonstrate that they are unworthy of our trust and this should be taken very seriously into consideration,” he said.
Anastasiades added the National Council (top advisory body of the President in the handling of the Cyprus Problem) will convene in the coming days to assess the developments, noting he is certain that an answer will be given.
We are interested in a solution of the Cyprus problem more than anyone else but we equally desire the dialogue to begin with the necessary conditions and prospects for a successful conclusion, he went on to say.
“Some should not live with the illusion that they will obtain laurels of success if they think they could lead us through blackmail in to a dialogue for the sake of the dialogue,” he said, adding “we do not live in Australia, we live in Cyprus with its own particularities.”
“And they who are obliged to implement resolutions, should consider they should be the ones to uphold them and not promote the views of one side to expose the other,” he said.
Concluding, the President said what is important is the end result and not the deadline for the resumption of the talks.
