Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-01-20

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT TURKEY

[01] CYPRUS PRESIDENT TURKEY

Speaking at a memorial service of the late first President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III, President Christofias said that the Greek Cypriot side pursues a commonly acceptable solution with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, based on UN Security Council resolutions, international law and EU principles, with political equality, as described in the relevant UN resolutions.

In our effort to solve the problem we urge the international community to exert its pressure towards Turkey so that it shows the necessary flexibility and good will to reach a mutually acceptable solution, that will restore peace and security in this Southeastern Mediterranean region, he said.

The Cypriot President said he aims, through dialogue, at a solution that would enable the state to be functional, having a single sovereignty, one nationality and one international personality.

Reiterating that the Greek Cypriot side will not accept suffocating timeframes and arbitration, he said that the solution of the Cyprus problem must be reached by Cypriots themselves.

Bearing in mind the experience of 2004, when there was a procedure of suffocating timeframes and arbitration, we have made clear to the international community that the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus will continue to be the protagonists in the negotiations, he said.

The Cypriot President said that Turkey has an important role to play in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, but he noted that Turkish statements do not contribute to these efforts.

Official statements by the Turkish National Security Council and the dangerous policy of questioning the sovereign rights of Cyprus, do not help at all efforts we make through dialogue for a solution, especially during a time, when all expect Turkeys compliance with its EU obligations, including its obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus, he stressed.

Turkey, he added, chose to follow the path of challenge. He urged Ankara to review its policies and give the Turkish Cypriot leadership the necessary support to help achieve a real federation where human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots are recognized. As regards the ongoing direct negotiations which began last September between himself and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for a solution, President Christofias said that despite the fact that the progress achieved so far has not been the expected one, the Greek Cypriot side will continue the dialogue.

The fact that the discussion on the chapter of governance was concluded without the expected progress does not disappoint us and we will not end our efforts, he noted.

We will continue to struggle for peace and reconciliation, for the demilitarisation of the Republic of Cyprus, and to end the illegal settlement of Turks in the occupied areas of Cyprus and restore the property right of all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, as well as their right to return to their homes and properties, he continued.

Referring to the late Archbishop Makarios, President Christofias said that the most courageous and important decision he has ever tooken was to accept the bizonal, bicommunal federation as outlined in the High Level Agreement of 1977.

Bearing in mind the circumstances after the Turkish invasion of 1974 Archbishop Makarios had the correct position that only a solution based on a federation could lead to the unity of the state, its people, and the withdrawal of foreign occupation, President Christofias concluded.

In his speech, Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus, Chrysostomos II, praised the late Archbishops contribution to the history of Cyprus.

History places him among those great men who rarely appear but manage to make history by leading their people, struggling for national and religious rights, he concluded.

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