President of the Republic Demetris Christofias has said that the Turkish Cypriot leadership has reneged on convergences achieved on important chapters of the Cyprus problem, while at the same time is submitting positions and proposals that fall outside the agreed basis.
Addressing an event to honor PSE – PEO trade union, held here Friday, President Christofias described the Cyprus issue as the greatest problem faced by the Cypriot people.
“I want to assure all the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, that we remain firmly committed to the aim of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. We remain firmly committed to the aim of terminating the Turkish occupation and reunifying our country and our people, “ he noted.
He added that “no matter what difficulties we may face at the negotiating table, and what disappointments we may come across, we will never compromise with the idea of partition, with the idea of definitively selling out half of our homeland to Turkey.“
The President said that “we have entered into direct negotiations for three years now with goodwill and constructive proposals and adherence to the agreed process and negotiating basis”.
He noted, also, that “ the negotiating basis is also the solution sought by the entire international community, as it is expressed through the UN Security Council resolutions “ adding that “we are not satisfied with the course of the direct negotiations, particularly in the last period. “
He said that despite the fact that some progress has been achieved in the negotiations on the Cyprus issue, the Turkish Cypriot leadership has reneged on convergences that have been achieved on important chapters of the Cyprus issue, while the same time is submitting positions and proposals that fall outside the agreed basis, “as he said.
“Away from the negotiating table,“ he added, “the current Turkish leadership behaves with aggression and provocation, making statements that negate the basis of the solution and cancel every effort for progress.“
He stressed that “we will continue to work towards achieving a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation. A state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality. A solution that will ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots. “
He clarified, at the same time, that “ nevertheless, we are not willing to assent either to a change of the negotiation process by introducing arbitration and technical timeframes, or to a violation of principles leading to a stillborn and dead-end solution,“ noting that “if, despite our efforts, we fail to reach a solution, then the United Nations and the entire international community should point at the side to be blamed taking the responsibility. “
Referring to the world financial crisis, President Christofias said that the crisis could not but to affect Cyprus also “, adding that “every citizen understands that the effects of the crisis are not caused neither by the Government not by the way we handle things “.
As he said, “the financial crisis is constantly reproduced with more intenseness causing twists and unexpected results. Nobody could, for example, to predict just three or four years ago the course and the outcome of the Greek economy today. “
“Unfortunately,“ he continued, “the exposure of the Cypriot banks to Greek government bonds and loans, is the main reason why the economy has been downgraded. We take action. We will take additional measures if necessary to shield the Cypriot economy, “he said.
Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement that will reunify the country, under a federal roof.
