Τhere can be no settlement of the Cyprus problem without the return of Morphou under Greek Cypriot administration, President Demetris Christofias maintains in public and at the negotiating table, according to Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou.
Addressing members of Morphou Municipality, who handed him a resolution to mark 38 years since the town fell to the advancing Turkish troops, Iacovou said “As you very well know our position and that of the President, both in public as well as at the negotiations, is that there can be no solution without the return of Morphou under Greek Cypriot administration”.
He said this position reflects Cyprus’ policy on the protection of the rights of Greek Cypriots, the respect of the four fundamental freedoms and the fact that the solution must provide for the majority of Greek Cypriots to live under Greek Cypriot administration.
Iacovou pointed out that as Greek Cypriots demand justice and their human rights, Turkish and Turkish Cypriot leaders continue to display hostility and intransigence.
He said that Cyprus faces various problems now, especially in the economic sector, but these will not disorient the government from pursuing the rights of its people and its just cause for a viable settlement.
“Our struggle continues,” he said and stressed the need for unity.
He congratulated the people of Morphou on their resolve to struggle and inform foreign decision makers about their demands, noting that they contribute to the government efforts to find a just and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem that will be based on international law, human rights conventions, EU principles and Security Council resolutions.
On his part, Morphou Mayor Charalambos Pittas said their resolution informs the Security Council Permanent Members of their determination, despite the 38 years of occupation, to continue struggling and pursuing their inalienable right to return to Morphou for as long as it takes.
He also pointed out that even though they want a solution the soonest, such a solution must be just, viable and functional and reunite the country and its people.
In statements after their meeting, Pittas said that the Security Council Permanent Members have special responsibility but also the power to work more seriously towards a settlement.
Cyprus’ EU partners must realize that Cypriot citizens are entitled to enjoy the same rights as every other European citizen, he stressed.
In her statements Cypriot MEP Antigoni Papadopoulou, who comes from Morphou, said that during their meeting with Iacovou they discussed the issue of the so called immovable property commission established in occupied Cyprus with a view to compensate Greek Cypriots whose properties are under occupation.
Papadopoulou noted that the European Court of Human rights cannot give authority to the perpetrator to make decisions and compensate the victim.
