President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has said that the UN will be preparing a document on the convergences and divergences in talks to reach a solution of the island’s political problem and the UN Secretary General’s next efforts, noting that the paper would presented to the two sides in Cyprus.

Speaking on his arrival in New York for the UN General Assembly, President Christofias said that “unfortunately this year brings nothing pleasant for the Republic of Cyprus, in the Cyprus problem, the socioeconomics, and our home front,” noting that “things are difficult and Turkey is arrogantly insisting on its expansionary policy.”

“In the Cyprus problem we are facing a deadlock and we will face it until the presidential elections,” he said, adding that the UN will prepare a document of what has been achieved so far and the divergences of the two sides` positions.

The President said he has pointed out to the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer that “this presentation must be objective.”

Asked about the UN document, President Christofias said he did not think the UN Secretary General would be submitting it to the Security Council. “This is a working paper regarding the next efforts of the UN Secretary General, which will be presented to the two sides,” he said.

President Christofias noted that if the Secretary General did submit it to the Security Council, those who would be exposed were Turkey and the Turkish side.

He also said that Cyprus is currently holding the EU Presidency and “we are obliged to deal with very difficult issues for the whole of Europe.”

“When we speak of the financial crisis, we cannot speak only about Cyprus. The financial crisis in Cyprus is the result of the deep crisis of the system on a global scale and the greed of the large capital. This is the reality, especially regarding the banks,” he said.

President Christofias also said that during his meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly he would be denouncing “Turkey for its arrogant, hard and uncompromising stance” and would express the readiness of the Greek Cypriot side to engage in a dialogue with an aim to reach an agreement, and then discuss a possible international conference on Cyprus.

He noted he could not hope for the resumption of talks during the rest of his term in office, due to the Turkish stance.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

 

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