President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades has stressed that no solution will be put before the Cypriot Hellenism if it does not meet their expectations or answer their legitimate concerns.
In a televised message on Friday evening, President Anastasiades said that the decision taken on Thursday evening concerning the resumption of the talks constitutes an important development which preserves the momentum that existed in the process.
In addition, he said that he is in constant and close cooperation with the Greek Government, which continues to firmly support Cyprus.
Referring to the decision taken on Thursday evening for the immediate resumption of the Cyprus talks, he said that it constitutes an important development because it lifts the problems that emerged during the Mont Pelerin round of talks, without consolidating the deadlock with unforeseeable consequences, thus preserving the momentum that existed and specifying that we continue from the point where the talks were interrupted.
He added that given the serious risks that would emerge from a prolonged impasse or the end of the whole process, the common position of the political parties was that talks should resume.
“Remaining totally consistent with the positions I expressed both at the meeting of the National Council as well as in public, with last night`s decision it is ensured that before the Conference on Cyprus there will be an intensive and substantive discussion on all outstanding issues interrelated, including the territorial criteria”.
He added that the Turkish side has accepted and committed that a precondition of this process is the submission of a map on the territory on a certain date.
The President of Cyprus pointed out that progress on the above issues will allow us to be close to an agreement, thus creating the conditions and prospects for a successful outcome during the discussion of the core issue of security and guarantees that will follow, with the Conference for Cyprus.
He added that based on the established methodology of the negotiations, nothing is considered as agreed unless there is a comprehensive agreement on all issues, thus excluding any form of arbitration.
Nor the fact that meeting dates have been set, in a process that began 18 months ago, or which lasts for 42 years now, can be understood as setting tight deadlines, he noted.
In his message, the President of Cyprus said that the solution will be the result of the free will of the two leaders.
“And, I want again to emphasize and assure the Cypriot Hellenism that no solution will come before them if it does not meet their expectations or does not answer their legitimate concerns` he stressed, adding that it is the people who will decide through their vote.
Referring to Greece, he said that during these crucial time he is in continuous and close cooperation with the Greek government which continues to firmly support Cyprus.
Concluding, he urged for unity, noting that safeguarding unity during these important developments is crucial. It is for this reason, he added, that I have convened the National Council (top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus issue) on Wednesday and he urged the political parties to avoid unsubstantiated interpretations and positions.
