The 18th International Conference of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK-PSEKA) and the Conference of the Executive Council of the Organization of Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK) wrapped up deliberations Thursday in Nicosia with the conference of the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee ‘Justice for Cyprus’ (PSEKA) and the election of its leadership.
Philip Christopher was re-elected unopposed President of PSEKA as well as the organisation’s officials.
In a resolution adopted by the 18th World Conference of Overseas, overseas Cypriots welcome the intensification of negotiations between the leaders of the two communities, on the basis of the Joint Declaration of 11 February 2014, following the termination of Turkey`s illegal activities within Cyprus’ EEZ.
They express satisfaction for the positive climate and new prospects for progress created after the assumption of the Turkish Cypriot leadership by Mustafa Akinci, with the hope that public statements and positions of the T/C leader on the Cyprus issue will be verified in practice.
They express full support to the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the G/C 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 reunite Cyprus and its people, secure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, as well as their common future within the EU.
The overseas Cypriots fully support the resumed negotiating process under the auspices of the UN SG Good Offices Mission and the active participation of a representation of the European Commission aiming at a comprehensive, just, viable and workable solution to the Cyprus problem, which will be based on the principles of the international law, the High Level Agreements, the relevant UN Resolutions and the EU Acquis Communautaire.
They welcome the adoption of confidence building measures and call for the immediate and unconditional return of Varosha to its lawful owners, as described in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions No. 550/1984 and 789/1992 as a measure of goodwill and confidence building, as well as undertaking other similar measures, for e.g. the demiliratization of the walled city of Nicosia.
In the resolution, they call upon the international community to support the negotiating process as agreed (leaders – led process) and impress upon Turkey to abide by the SC Resolutions and ECHR decisions (including the fourth interstate Cyprus vs Turkey) and contribute constructively to the process in order to reach a successful conclusion, for the benefit of all Cypriots.
Furthermore, they call upon the UN to work for the immediate and unconditional implementation by Turkey of all UN Resolutions on Cyprus and the EU to demand from Turkey to implement its commitments in relation with its profile as a candidate county to enter the EU, and especially with its Cyprus-related obligations (normalization of bilateral relations with neighbouring countries, Ankara` s Protocol etc.).
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. UN-led talks aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof resumed in May this year.