Minister of Defence Savvas Angelides has said that reaching a solution that will safeguard the full independence of the state and its deliberation from the Turkish occupation is an objective which is non-negotiable.

Speaking at the annual national memorial service for freedom fighter, Theofilos Georgiades, in Nicosia, the  Minister said that the President of the Republic of Cyprus continues the struggle in a decisive and responsible manner so that Cyprus negotiations resume.

“The government works hard so that talks resume by securing the negotiating accord, as delivered to us by the UN Secretary General in Crans Montana, which includes explicit references to the abolition of the guarantee and intervention rights,” he said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. In July 2017 it was the last effort to reach a solution in the Swiss resort Crans Montana.