President Demetris Christofias has stressed that he is more than ready to conclude a political settlement in Cyprus, if Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots agree to a bizonal bicommunal federation, which is the basis on which UN-led negotiations take place.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the Central Councils of the World Federation for Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA), President Christofias noted that the solution of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation was agreed by the island’s two communities in the High Level Agreements in the late 1970s and adopted by the UN, the EU and other international organizations.

“If the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey consent to such a solution, we are more than ready to reach an agreement. However, we will not accept a solution simply to serve Turkey’s interests and goals or those of its friends,” the President stressed in his address to the meeting, read out by Titos Christofides, Under Secretary to the President.

President Christofias pointed out that in this arduous effort to find a solution, maximum unity and cooperation at home and abroad are necessary. He called on everybody to place Cyprus over and above every other consideration.

“The times are pivotal”, President Christofias said, stressing that “the time has come to intensify our contacts and to inform about the actual situation in the negotiations, without deviation from the agreed basis of the process”.

Referring to the essence of the Cyprus problem, the President assured that he is struggling for a solution the soonest possible, which will free the country from Turkey’s continuous occupation, stop the influx of illegal settlers and reunite the island. He acknowledged however that the solution will be the result of  compromise.

He warned that the lapse of time consolidates the fait accompli of the Turkish invasion but also pointed out that the solution should be based on principles and must restore the human rights and the fundamental freedoms of all the people of Cyprus, in order to be viable and durable.

“The solution must be founded on the principles of international and European law”, he said, reiterating that the Greek Cypriot side does not want the de facto division of the island.

“Our vision is a solution that will serve the best interests of our people”, President Christofias stressed, noting that the presence of the Turkish military and of Turkish settlers in Cyprus threatens and undermines security and the future of all legitimate residents of the island.

The solution must reunite the territory, the people, the institutions and the economy, in the framework of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, he added.

He made it clear that such a federation was agreed between the two Cypriot communities in 1977 and was reaffirmed in 1979, by the leaders of the two communities in the High Level Agreements.

Christofias reiterated that the bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, as defined in the relevant UN resolutions, provides for a state with a single citizenship and single international personality and this is the agreed basis upon which direct negotiations are being held.

President Christofias pointed out that in order to reach a solution, all interested parties must cooperate. “It is imperative to continue our joint effort, among the island’s two communities, in order to reach a mutually agreed and acceptable solution,” he said.

“Over and above the efforts of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, we have to have Turkey’s cooperation in this, as there can be no solution unless we secure this cooperation,” the President pointed out.

Ankara, he said, must understand that if it cooperates for a solution, it will benefit itself first and foremost. Refusal to meet its obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus creates additional problems to Ankara’s European aspirations. We support these aspirations, but not unconditionally. Should Turkey fulfill these obligations, it would be in line with EU principles,” the President explained.

In his speech, President Christofias also referred to the close cooperation and coordination with Greece on handling the Cyprus question. “The state and the people of Greece and expatriate Greeks remain our firm support to our struggle for national and natural survival”, he stressed and expressed his gratitude to the government, political leadership, and people of Greece for their support and solidarity.

Referring to Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leader, he said they present extreme positions instead of changing attitude and aligning their stance with that which is outlined in the High Level Agreements, the UN resolutions, international Law and Human Rights’ Conventions.

“Instead of fulfilling the commitments they have undertaken before the UN Secretary General during the current process, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership arbitrarily and at will interpret historical facts, the UN role and efforts for a solution in a way that would justify – in their view – the continuing occupation and the unacceptable faits accomplis they have created, claiming this is the new so-called realities which must be accepted,” he explained.

Referring to the assumption, by the Republic of Cyprus, of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU, Christofias pointed out that the Presidency is taking place under extremely difficult conditions, both because of the global economic crisis, and the growing number of civil wars and revolutions.

“Our concern during the Presidency is to achieve the common goals for a better Europe”, he said. For a Europe, as he explained, of economic growth and renovation, of solidarity, of social coherence and prosperity.

President Christofias clarified that the assumption of the EU Presidency is completely independent from the efforts to solve Cyprus issue. He reassured that “we will not let the Cyprus EU Presidency to be affected by any problems created by Turkey”.

Finally, the President said that the government will continue its effort to exploit the country’s natural resources. “It is an effort that we ought to continue for the people of Cyprus and for the generations to come,” he said.

Christofias described Turkey’s threats against Cyprus on this issue as contrary to international law and order. “Cyprus by its actions constructs bridges of communication and peace in the area of the Eastern Mediterranean”, he pointed out.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement was signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

Ankara has threatened Cyprus when Nicosia launched last September its exploration activities within its EEZ and announced earlier this year a second round of licensing for off-shore hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation within the Republic’s Economic Exclusive Zone.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. A new round of peace talks started in September 2008 to find a negotiated settlement that will reunify the country, under a federal roof.