The reunification of Cyprus is a one way street which will safeguard the future of the country, President Demetris Christofias stressed here Sunday, warning that any attempt to unilaterally change the current process of negotiations would be tantamount to an end of the peace talks.

The President also said that Turkish intransigence has been, over the years, the main reason that repeated efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem have failed.

Paying tribute to a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot, murdered in the mid 1960s for promoting rapprochement between the two island’s communities, he said that chauvinism and nationalism cannot be the future of the country.

“There is another path – that of peaceful coexistence, security, cooperation, prosperity and development – which is difficult and full of obstacles,” he said, reiterating his readiness to continue the UN-led talks on the agreed basis, without tight deadlines, arbitration or mediation and no international conference unless the terms set out by the UN are met.

Such a meeting can only be convened if the internal aspects of the question of Cyprus have been resolved, the two communities agree on its composition and define its agenda.

“The Turkish Cypriot leader refuses to cooperate with the agreed basis of the talks and this has led the negotiations to a standstill. He does not honour convergences achieved with his predecessor,” the President said, noting that this behaviour, coupled with Turkish threats and provocations form the puzzle of responsibilities for the current situation at the talks.

Ankara has in the recent past leveled threats against the Republic of Cyprus, which it does not recognise, with regard to exploratory drilling in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone where massive natural gas reserves have been discovered and to the six monthly EU rotating presidency which Nicosia will assume in July this year.

“Turkish provocations have recently reached their peak. This arrogant behaviour is an affront to the Republic, the EU and the UN and cannot contribute to peace and stability in the region,” he added.

Turkey, as the regional trouble-maker, cannot be of useful ally to anybody, he said, and urged the international community to address themselves to Ankara recommending a shift in its position on Cyprus.

“We shall continue our efforts towards a solution. Freeing Cyprus and reuniting the country is a one way street and the sacrifice of people like Mishiaoulis and Kavasoglu is a beacon for us to carry on this struggle,” the President added.

The President was very critical of extreme nationalists in both communities, saying that such approaches have led the country to “unspeakable tragedies.”

He also said that the agreed solution of a federal solution presupposes compromises which are the necessary cost Greek Cypriots had to pay to reverse Turkey’s divisive designs and free the country from the continuing military occupation of its northern part.