Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis has expressed President Demetris Christofias` determination to continue his efforts, in the framework of UN-led direct talks, to achieve an agreed settlement of the Cyprus problem providing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with a single sovereignty, a single international personality and a single citizenship.

Speaking during the Annual Dinner and Dance of the Cypriot Community of Western Australia, Marcoullis underlined the difficulties deriving from the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side and its negative positions on core issues of the Cyprus problem, as well as Turkey`s provocative stance and threats against the Republic of Cyprus.

She noted that Turkey questions the sovereign rights of Cyprus to conduct explorations and exploit its natural resources within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Furthermore Marcoullis elaborated on the positive references as regards Cyprus in the Communique of the Commonwealth Heads of States and Government Meeting, which she attended and which was held in Perth, Australia, on 28-30 October 2011, with the participation of 53 Commonwealth member states.

Specifically, the Heads of State and Government of the Commonwealth reaffirmed the previous Commonwealth Communique on Cyprus and expressed their full support to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus.

They also expressed support to the efforts of the leaders of the two communities, under the auspices of the UN Secretary-Generals Good Offices Mission, to bring about a comprehensive Cyprus settlement, based on the UN Charter and the relevant Resolutions of the UN Security Council for one state of Cyprus, with a single sovereignty, a single international personality and a single citizenship, in a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as described in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

Moreover, the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government called for the implementation of the UN Security Councils Resolutions, in particular 365 (1974), 541 (1983), 550 (1984), and 1251 (1999) and reiterated their support for the full respect of the human rights of all Cypriots and for the accounting of the fate of all missing persons.

The Heads of State and Government of the Commonwealth also extended their full support and solidarity to the Republic of Cyprus in the exercise of its sovereign rights under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to explore and exploit the natural resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone.