The President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades updated the UK Cypriot diaspora on the progress of the Cyprus issue settlement talks during a dinner organised in his honour on Friday evening in north London by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK.
President Anastasiades said that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and he share the same vision of Cypriots being in charge of their island, of Cyprus being reunited and of human rights being guaranteed, with all Cypriots being equal citizens of the EU.
Recognising this reality, noted the President, does not constitute an “upgrade” or some effort to “prettify” a leader, but it creates an essential personal relationship which permits a more candid dialogue. “The atmosphere has indeed been different after Mr Mustafa Akinci’s election by the Turkish Cypriot community as their leader, and the talks, even though we are still in the primary stages, have achieved some progress on important chapters,” added Anastasiades.
He also told the diaspora representatives that one of the things that has been determined is that “we will not be talking about two sovereign states which will be discussing in order to form a confederation, but about two communities which will be discussing the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus… from a state of unitary character with federal characteristics to a bizonal bicommunal federation.” As he added, even though the word ‘evolution’ is not accepted by the other side, this will be the practical result of the settlement.
He commented that despite things said against the bizonality and bicommunality, it is such a solution that would allow for true unity of people, economy and territory.
President Anastasiades also expressed his delight at the presence of several representatives of the younger generation of UK Cypriots in the event, along with the older ones, commending the unity of the diaspora in terms of actions to promote the settlement of the Cyprus issue.
In his welcoming address the new President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK Christos Karaolis conveyed the community’s satisfaction with the intensification of the efforts by the President to find a peaceful, just and workable solution to the Cyprus issue, along with the Turkish Cypriot leader. He also commended President Anastasiades on his “perseverance, patience and determination” in safeguarding the human rights of all Cypriots.
“On behalf of the Federation and the community I want to express our heartfelt appreciation and solidarity for your tireless efforts to reunite our island. But more importantly I want to reassure you that the Federation and the community will stand by your side ready to assist in our collective mission to deliver what all Cypriots want – a free united Cyprus,” added the Federation President, who also acknowledged the presence of many youngsters from NEPOMAK.
Karaolis referred to the important role that the UK has with regard to Cyprus and noted that the community will carry on demanding from British MPs and the government to fulfill their country’s responsibilities as a guarantor power