The leaders of organisations of Cypriots overseas have pledged to return to their countries and continue the struggle for Cyprus.

At the completion of the 18th International Conference of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK-PSEKA) and the Conference of the Executive Council of the Organization of Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK), the Presidents of the organisations gave a press conference during which they thanked the Government of Cyprus for briefing them on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, the economy and energy matters.

However, POMAK and PSEKA Presidents criticised the lack of unity in the internal front on Cyprus issue, which in turn tarnishes the image of Cyprus abroad, as they pointed out.

Speaking to the press Fotis Fotiou, Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots, firstly, thanked the Cypriots of the diaspora for their support to the struggle of Cyprus. Referring to the Conference, he said that it was very useful as it provided the opportunity for an important discussion on the Cyprus issue. In addition, they discussed problems and the future the new generation of overseas Cypriots.

Fotiou announced that in early 2016, probably in February, the first Business Forum with the Businessmen of the diaspora will take place in Cyprus. “I believe this is pivotal because I am sure that we have remarkable entrepreneurs who can help Cyprus in this difficult period, either by promoting Cyprus as an investment and business center, or by investing in Cyprus” he said.

Fotiou thanked the expatriate Cypriot for their contribution to the issue of missing persons, noting that specific action has been decided to persuade the international community to show sensitivity and convince Turkey to cooperate and give an end to this deeply humanitarian issue.

POMAK President Andreas Papaevripidis said that the Cyprus problem is not the only issue that concerns overseas Cypriots, especially during the past few years. As he pointed out, there is a major issue of survival of the new and the future generations of Cypriots in diaspora. “What matters is to safeguard the continuation of Cypriot Hellenism in the countries we live”, he stressed.

Papaevripidis criticised the political leadership in Cyprus by saying that the leaders of the political parties give the impression that they consider the Cyprus issue a matter of confrontation between the parties and not a national issue.

The President of the International Coordinating Committee ‘Justice for Cyprus’ (PSEKA) Philip Christopher said that for 40 years, the leaderships have not only missed opportunities to solve the problem, but they have also lost the way towards the solution.

He added that the election of Mustafa Akinci to the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community may have brought hope for a solution, however, Ankara still holds the key to the solution. “It is obvious that the problem is Turkey and we should find a way to convince Turkey,” to help find a settlement, he said, noting that the US could play a positive role towards that direction.

Christopher said that PSEKA representatives will meet on September 15 with the new Ambassador of the US to Cyprus. Moreover, they are going to have meetings with representatives from the State Department and the US Vice President Joe Biden, with the main aim to find ways to exert pressure on Turkey, not only on the humanitarian issue of missing persons, but also on the Cyprus problem in general.

NEPOMAK President Antonia Savvides said that the members of NEPOMAK attended the same sessions and talks as POMAK and PSEKA in terms of the Cyprus issue, updates on energy and finance.

During the conference NEPOMAK also held a number of executive committee workshops, she said, pointing out that during those sessions they established solid proposals that they can work with on a number of initiatives, including a new Greek language programme.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. UN-led talks aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof resumed in May this year.