Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has made it clear that “we will not accept anything less than a modern European state,” noting at the same time that the solution of the Cyprus problem will be a painful compromise.

President Anastasiades stressed that he has the historical responsibility to do everything humanly possible to get rid of the occupation army and reunite the country.

For forty-two years we experience on a daily basis the extinction of any Greek element in the northern occupied part of Cyprus, he noted.

“As a responsible politician, as the leader of this country not only can I not ignore this reality but I also have the historical responsibility to do what is humanly possible to prevent the deterioration of the current situation”, he added.

He said that the aim is to safeguard the human rights of the people of Cyprus, so that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will have the right to the freedom of movement,  residence and employment throughout the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.

He stressed that our struggle aims to end the occupation, adding that we want a country in which all its inhabitants will strive daily for progress, and constitute an example of peaceful co-existence and prosperity.

He expressed hope that Turkey will “respond positively to our efforts and goodwill” adding that “we will not accept anything less than a modern European state.”

Presdent Anastasiades was speaking during the unveiling ceremony of a monument dedicated to the fallen army officers of the Hellenic Force in Cyprus (ELDYK) and to Stelios Mavrommatis who was hanged by the British during the 1955-1959 liberation struggle (EOKA) against the British rule.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-backed talks, aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof, resumed in May last year.