President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has expressed the wish that Turkey will change its positions on the Cyprus problem and become more flexible to enable the achievement of a solution.

In statements on the sidelines of an event co-organized by the Pancyprian Federation of Labor (PEO) and the Turkish Cypriot DEVIS trade union, to mark the International Workers’ Day, President Christofias expressed the wish and expectation that after the Turkish elections in June, Turkey will change its stance and respect UN resolutions on Cyprus and High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979, “so that the countdown for the solution of the Cyprus problem begins”.

Replying to questions, he pledged to continue working for the solution of the Cyprus problem based on the UN Security Council resolutions, noting that UN officials are obliged to respect them.

“I want to tell people that we will continue defending principles”, he said, underlining the importance of the UN Security Council resolutions for Cyprus.

He pointed out that “the UN Secretary General and his assistants here in Cyprus are obliged to respect and follow those resolutions”.

Referring on the International Workers’ Day, he reassured that “workers were, are and will remain in the center of our attention”.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. UN – backed talks are currently underway between Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country.