President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades has stressed that the `ambitious goal` for a solution of the Cyprus problem by the end of the year, “is achievable, provided that all interested parties and stakeholders, and in particular Turkey, show a similar degree of commitment”.
Addressing the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the President said
“I wish to, yet again, reiterate my resolve to continue working with the same determination and intensive pace in order to reach a solution the soonest and, if possible, by the end of the year”.
“I do believe that this ambitious goal is achievable, provided that all interested parties and stakeholders, and in particular Turkey, show a similar degree of commitment, engage constructively and proceed with concrete and tangible steps which will positively reinforce the negotiating process”, he underlined.
The Cyprus problem, he said, is the second longest-standing unresolved international issue in the UN agenda, and pledged to “continue working with the same determination and intensive pace in order to reach a solution the soonest and, if possible, by the end of the year”.
He said that following his election in 2013, a renewed effort led on February 11, 2014 to the adoption of the Joint Declaration by the leaders of the two communities and the resumption of the negotiating process.
The Joint Declaration, he added, on the one hand encapsulates the following fundamental principles: Reaffirmation of the basis of the settlement; Cyprus’ continued membership of the United Nations and of the European Union, The values upon which the EU is founded shall be safeguarded throughout the island, with full respect to democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms, Union in whole or in part with any other country or any form of partition or secession or any other unilateral change to the state of affairs shall be prohibited.
On the other hand, he said, the Joint Declaration established the methodology of the talks that
all Chapters would be discussed interdependently, it would be a leaders-led process and only an agreement freely reached by them might be put to simultaneous referenda, thus, any kind of arbitration would be excluded, nothing would be considered as agreed until everything is agreed and that the leaders would aim to reach a settlement as soon as possible, without any enforced or artificial timelines.
“Thus, both communities have agreed on the overarching rules and modalities that direct the negotiating process. This enabled the two leaders to have a clear and shared understanding on the framework of the envisaged settlement and the ways and means of achieving it”, he said.
The President pointed out that this year, following a series of frequent meetings between the two leaders, “I have pleasure in informing you that progress has been achieved ο n important aspects of the Cyprus Problem, such as confirming that United Cyprus shall have a singleinternational legal personality, a single sovereignty and a single citizenship, guaranteeing, for all Cypriots, the freedom of movement, the right to acquire property, reside, practice a trade or profession and establish and operate a business or engage in any economic activity throughout Cyprus, full respect for the individual’s right to property, safeguarding that the demographic character of the island on the 1st Day of the Settlement will reflect, with a slight deviation, the traditional demographic composition of the Republic of Cyprus as established in 1960”.
In addition, “ensuring that the said demographic composition will not be altered by out side influences, implementation of the EU acquis throughout the territory of Cyprus without deviations and permanent derogations, protecting the bi-zonal and bi-communal character of the settlement through specific clauses, as agreed by the two leaders: The Federal constitution shall prescribe that the united Cyprus federation shall be composed of two constituent states of equal status and establishing the mode in which political equality will be exercised, including the effective participation to decision-making at the federal level”.
Further, he said that convergences have been reached on most aspects of the Chapters of Governance, Economy and European Union to the benefit of all Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
At the same time, the President stressed that what is also encouraging is that, in contrast to previous negotiations, for the first time discussions in the form of brainstorming have commenced in relation to the Chapters of Territorial Readjustments and Security”.
But the President also referred to the differences which still remain.
“Not overlooking the significant progress achieved, however, I feel obliged to stress that:
Differences remain on a number of issues in the Chapters of Governance, European Union and Economy, The most significant differences lie in the core and fundamental chapters of Property, Territory and Security and Guarantees which will weigh significantly as to whether a solution would be feasible”.
Continuing, the President underlined that “My aim is to avoid failures of the past and to present to the people a clear and well-prepared settlement agreement, with no constructive or other ambiguities and deficiencies; ensuring that the solution will be politically and economically viable, functional and lasting”.
In this respect, he said, the following issues, among others, need to be addressed:
the financial dimension of the settlement, including costs related to the Property issue and to the institutional functioning of the Federal State, safeguarding the smooth implementation of the agreement, the First Day of the solution and what it would entail, introducing the Euro as legal tender on Day One of the Settlement, speedy implementation of the various aspects of the agreement.
The solution, he added, should reunite our country, its people, the economy and institutions;
create a win-win situation for all Cypriots, address the expectations, sensitivities and concerns of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots; ensure a modern EU and UN member-state, enjoying full sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, restore and fully respect the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all its lawful citizens.
In addition, the solution, he said should “establish Cyprus as an international paradigm of the peaceful co-existence and prosperous collaboration between all of its citizens, irrespective of their different ethnic, cultural and religious diversity, rid Cyprus of third country military troops or guarantees, an anachronism in today’s World”.
In his address, the President referred to the universal, comprehensive and indivisible 2030 agenda for sustainable development, noting that it represents a common reference point for all of us and our guiding tool to tackle effectively the universal challenges that transcend boundaries and threaten regional and international cohesion.
Referring to the humanitarian crisis, President Anastasiades said that we must address collectively and in an effective manner the root causes that have led to their uncontrolled exacerbation, through a two-fold interrelated approach, “first, by directing and concentrating our efforts to make sustainable development finally a reality to all those countries and regions in need and secondly, we need to resourcefully confront the threats posed by ongoing conflicts and also prevent future ones, in order to achieve lasting and viable political solutions that will promote regional peace, security and predictability”.
The President pointed out that the international community should reconsider the prevention and conflict resolution mechanisms at its disposal, with a view to making them more efficient, effective and immediate.
“This can only be achieved through strengthening our support and commitment to the UN, as it constitutes the only international forum which was established by all of us with the aim of resolving co-operatively regional and international threats to peace and security”, he said.
He commended the UNSG “for his instrumental role in having the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted, for the recent agreement on the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework and, of course, to bringing the UN Climate Change Conference to a successful conclusion through the ParisAgreement. An Agreement, which Cyprus is committed to ratify by the end of the year”.
CNA/AAR/GCH 2016