Archbishop of America, Elpidophoros, expressed the hope that Cyprus will be reunified so that all the people will enjoy peace, brotherhood, economic progress and development.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros received on Friday President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and First Lady Andri Anbastasiades at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in New York.
During the meeting, the Archbishop welcomed the President and his entourage and pledged his full support for the President and his efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem. At the same time, he expressed his gratitude to Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II for supporting the Theological School of Halki.
He praised President Anastasiades for his work in contributing towards a sincere and creative dialogue for a new positive era that “will allow for favourable conditions of peaceful co-existence” in an effective and viable state.
He also expressed the hope that “soon we will see a reunited island where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and all the citizens of the island will enjoy peace, brotherhood, love, financial growth and development”.
In his remarks, President Anastasiades thanked the Archbishop and the Ecumenical Patriarch for their support.
Referring to the situation in Cyprus, he said for 45 years we have been working hard to find a mutually acceptable solution that will end the unacceptable situation and “create the conditions for a truly viable, functioning and independent state, far from the influence of any third countries.”
The President of Cyprus referred to the efforts of the UN Secretary General, stressing the determination of the Greek Cypriot side to resume the dialogue and the hope that logic and especially law will prevail based on the UN charter and the acquis communautaire.
President Anastasiades invited Archbishop Elpidophoros to visit Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and respect of the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The last round of negotiations, in the summer of 2017, at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
