Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides stressed on Sunday that the government remains focused to the goal of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and expressed readiness for difficult negotiations.
In statements he made to the press after a memorial service in Kouklia village, in Pafos, he said that meetings such as the one that took place on Saturday between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci “are important because the create a good atmosphere and positive climate which are necessary for an admittedly difficult process.”
We remain serious, cautiously optimistic and constant as to the need for hard work, he noted.
It will all be down to the final result and what will take place during negotiations, he said, adding that this will depend on the intentions, the positions and how constructive all parties will be.
“We hope that through an honest and substantive dialogue those prospects allowing us to be optimistic for a positive result will be created,” he stressed.
Christodoulides continued making it clear, as he put it, that Cyprus is under occupation and that “we wish to reunify our country and end occupation more than any other, more than any third party.”
On our part, he added, “we will do our utmost” towards that direction. It is a difficult process, he said, expressing readiness for the negotiations and hope for a positive outcome.
Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN backed talks resumed on May 15 between President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci aiming to reunify the island under a federal roof.
On Saturday the two leaders sent a message of peace and hope that a solution will be found in the Cyprus problem, after having walked the streets of old Nicosia in both sides of the Green Line.