President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has called on the UN Secretary General, the European Union and the broader international community to turn their attention to Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and the Turkish side, who want the termination of UN talks for a settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Reiterating that the Greek Cypriot side is ready to continue the negotiations in parallel with the assumption of the EU rotating presidency by Cyprus on July 1, the President expressed hope that the talks could be fruitful.

In statements to the press following visits to military camps in view of the Easter holidays and replying to a question concerning the Greek Cypriot side`s readiness to continue the UN talks during the Cypriot EU presidency, President Christofias said “we are more than ready to continue the dialogue during the Presidency,“ adding that he conveyed this to the UN Secretary General.

President Christofias` remarks came as a response to the Turkish side`s repeated statements that the UN-backed talks, which began in September 2008, should be terminated after the assumption of the EU rotating presidency by the Republic of Cyprus on July 1.

“Nothing could obstruct the continuation of the dialogue,“ the President said, adding that the other side and Eroglu want to terminate the dialogue and are drafting “plan Bs.“

“The UN and the UN Secretary General, the EU and the international community should turn their attention towards them,“ he went on to say, adding that the talks could become fruitful and productive if the Turkish side eases its hard and provocative stance.

Addressing a gathering of officers and soldiers, President Christofias stressed that the Greek Cypriot side strives for a compromising but at the same time a dignified and functional solution to the Cyprus problem, due to what he called the “Turkisation“ of Cyprus taking place due to the lack of solution to the Cyprus problem and the creation of new fait accompli by the occupying power, Turkey.
“We, as opposed to the false and distorting statements of Mr. Eroglu, are in a hurry for a solution to the Cyprus problem,“ he said.

He also spoke of intransigence and cynicism on behalf of Turkey, noting that the Greek Cypriot side seeks a dignified solution to the Cyprus problem, which would safeguard the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of a united, federal Republic of Cyprus following a settlement.

The President also noted that the solution should be based on principles “as we cannot bow down and grant any rights to the occupying power just for the sake of a solution.“

The solution should safeguard a single citizenship, should entail the solution of the illegal settlement which leads the Turkish Cypriots to the assimilation by the Turkish settlers and the annulment of their identity.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied 37 percent of its territory.