President of the Republic Demetris Christofias has pledged once again that he is ready to continue the direct talks for the Cyprus problem, despite the negative stance shown by Ankara and the Turkish Cypriots.

In an interview with London Greek Radio (LGR) on Sunday, President Christofias said that he is both disappointed and unhappy from the lack of progress in the direct talks, however he has his conscious clear because the Greek Cypriot side did its utmost in the direction of the reunification of the country.

Cyprus President, who is in London where he attended the opening ceremony of the Olympic games, stressed that the solution lies with those who created the Cyprus problem, that is the occupying force, Turkey, who invaded and occupied the island, thus, he continued, Turkey is the key to the solution.

He went on to say that in the past, when Mehmet Ali Talat was the leader of the Turkish side community, the Turkish side showed a certain level of leniency that led the talks to a satisfying point. President said that certain convergences were achieved and people had high hopes that the problem will finally be resolved.

According to the President, Dervis Eroglu, Talat’s successor at the Turkish Cypriot community, has overturned the situation.

He noted that both the European Union and the United Nations, ought to have been more strict with Turkey, adding that the tolerance they show has been demonstrated recently as well, with the consultations at the UNSC for the  resolution for the renewal of the UNFICYP.

The United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), comprising military and civilian personnel from various contributing countries, arrived in Cyprus in March 1964 after intercommunal fighting broke out. The mandate of the force is renewed every six months by the Security Council.

In his statements to LGR, the President also said that that the direct talks have reached a standstill, however, the Greek Cypriot side has assured that is ready to continue the negotiations in order to reach a solution.

President Christofias also dismissed the views for a new basis of the Cyprus problem, underlining that this would lead to partition.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The two communities in the island have been engaged in UN-backed talks since 2008 with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof.

In the interview the President was also asked about the situation in the economy in the light of Cyprus’ application to the EU bailout mechanism and he strongly criticized the opposition parties in Cyprus as well as the former Central Bank Governor.

President Christofias said that it is natural to criticize the government in the framework of the democratic system, however is unfortunate to make statements that ooze hate. He went on to say that such behavior characterizes countries with low culture in politics.

Amidst the debate that is carried on in Cyprus about the responsibilities of the former Central Bank chief as regards the exposure of the Cypriot banks to the Greek bonds, the President said that the former Governor should have warned the government and the political parties on the possible dangers.

He said that not only did he advise both the government and the parties, but he forced them to invest in Greek bonds and called on the people not to show trust in the Cyprus bonds.

President Christofias went on to say that the former Governor Athanasios Orphanides had never in the past warned him about the exposure to the Greek debt.

He also assured that he is ready to assume any responsibility that belongs to the Government; however he does not accept any blame as regards the Greek debt and the exposure of the banks to the Greek bonds.