Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-10-17

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek President: Greek fate is indissolubly linked with that of Cyprus

[01] Greek President: Greek fate is indissolubly linked with that of Cyprus

Addressing an extraordinary session of the House of Representatives in Nicosia, the Greek President also said that Turkey is now facing historic dilemmas and it will have to review fundamental aspects of its policy on Cyprus or risk its European prospects.

Welcoming Papoulias, House President Demetris Christofias said a correct solution to the Cyprus problem should be an agreed solution. A solution that will result from substantial negotiation and the achievement of the necessary changes in the Annan Plan, which will render it more balanced, functional and therefore viable, by effectively addressing the concerns of both communities to their mutual benefitand not by serving foreign interests.

In his speech, President Papoulias said that for the first time, the Republic of Cyprus with its vote, will participate in the procedure to monitor Turkey's European course, noting that in a European reality, occupation troops do not have any place and sooner or later, Turkey will have to reconcile with this reality, if it wants to maintain its European path.

Referring to Cyprus' accession to the EU, President Papoulias said that "it determines the international framework in which the Cyprus problem falls into", stressing that the "end of the Turkish occupation and restoration of the territorial integrity of the Cyprus state, through an overall mutually acceptable, fair and viable solution remains a national priority".

"A solution to the Cyprus problem remains the constituent element of peace and stability in the wider region and could guarantee a high level of security and welfare for all citizens on the island, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots", he stressed.

The Greek president assured that "all of Greece, its people and its political leadership is and will remain at your side, to assist and support the Greek Cypriots and all the people of Cyprus. This position is determined by history. Our fate is indissolubly linked with that of Cyprus".

Referring to the history of the Cyprus problem and efforts to resume the peace process as well as the Cypriot government's proposal for the co-management of the Turkish occupied port city of Famagusta, Papoulias said that Greece believes that "the international community must avoid actions that contribute to consolidating the division of the island and especially taking measures which lead directly or indirectly to the recognition of the illegal regime in occupied Cyprus such as the use of ports and airports in the occupied areas without the consent of the Republic of Cyprus".

On Turkey's EU course, Papoulias expressed the hope that it will lead Ankara to a "gradual period of peace, stability and friendship with its relations with Cyprus and Greece".

"We will continue to work so that Turkey will implement the entirety of the obligations it has undertaken against the EU and its own citizens. Its full compliance with the principles and criteria of the EU is essential. This means that the EU progress primarily depends on Turkey itself, from the measures it will take domestically and from its dedication in fulfilling its international obligations, especially in relation to the Republic of Cyprus", he added.

Papoulias stressed that "we expect Turkey to honour all the obligations undertaken by signing the extension protocol of the Ankara Agreement toward the ten new EU member states, including Cyprus of course. Turkey should also make a real contribution to reopening the negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations".

"Turkey is obliged to substantially contribute in efforts to resume negotiations under the UN auspices and to willingly withdraw its occupation troops, end the continued settlement of the occupied areas and to respond to the reasonable concerns of Greek Cypriots and its obligation to respect international legality", the Greek president said.

He underlined that "Turkey is now facing historic dilemmas, either to review its fundamental policy on Cyprus or to risk its European prospect. After 31 years of diplomatic absurdity, it is called by the EU to accept reality by a commitment to extend its customs union and to proceed to recognition as soon as possible".

Concluding, Papoulias noted that "the time for the reunification of the island may not yet have come because of the intransigence of Ankara but for the first time the Republic of Cyprus will participate, with its vote, in the process of controlling the European course of Turkey. There is no place for occupation forces in the European reality. Sooner or later Turkey will have to reconcile itself with this reality if, as we all hope, it remains committed to its European course".

Addressing the Greek President, House President Christofias said "a just under the circumstances and correct solution should be an agreed solution that will result from substantial negotiation and the achievement of the necessary changes in the Annan Plan, which will render it more balanced, functional and therefore viable and by effectively addressing the concerns of both communities to their mutual benefit and not by serving foreign interests".

Only in this way, he added, "will the conditions for peaceful coexistence and meaningful cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots be safeguarded in a common homeland with common prospects".

It is for this reason said Christofias, "that Cyprus and Greece wish that Turkey accedes to the Union, provided that Turkey fulfills the criteria, just as any other candidate country respects the principles and values that govern the European Union and complies with her obligations vis-a-vis the European Union and all member states, without exception".

Christofias said the strong, fraternal bonds between Greece and Cyprus, which Papoulias' presence here reaffirms and reinforces even further, "are also underscored in other infinite ways, including a very regular exchange of visits at all levels".

Referring to relations between the two countries, Christofias said "the expression of our gratitude to Greece, its people and its entire political leadership, for their steadfast interest and support never constitutes an exaggeration."

He reminded that the "most recent and most important joint effort, which bore fruit, was Cyprus' accession to the European Union, the second of our two strategic goals. The primary, but also most difficult goal, is the solution of the Cyprus problem, which troubles us to date. Not from lack of will on our part of course."

"Our will is given, as is our devotion to the aim of reuniting the island and its people, in a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, based on the relevant United Nations resolutions and founded on the principles of the European Union, of which both our countries are now full members, and which Turkey, an important factor and key player on the chessboard of the Cyprus problem, aspires to join."

Christofias said "unfortunately, the response by the Turkish leadership has not only not been positive, but instead exceeds even the limits of provocation, both towards Cyprus and Greece, as well as towards all her other future partners. On our part, we continue to maintain contact with the Turkish Cypriots at all possible levels, keeping the flame of reunification alight."

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