Cyprus problem is now in a deadlock due to Turkish stance, President says
Cyprus President Demetris Christofias has said that Cyprus problem is now in a deadlock due to Turkey’s and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu stance.
Speaking at the celebration ceremony of Saint Maronas at the cathedral church of Maronite community in Cyprus, President Christofias has stressed that in the last five years successes and convergences have been achieved at the negotiations, which in total constitute significant improvements in relation to previous plans that attempted to be imposed but rightly were rejected by the Cypriot people. “We subvert the unacceptable punishing climate prevailed internationally and particularly in Europe after the referenda (in 2004), with the correct stance of the Cypriot people and with demonstrating Turkey`s intransigence and the goodwill of our side.”
President Christofias added that with determination and seriousness the government managed to create an important perspective for the island in a strategic, political and economic point of view, with the delimitation of the EEZ, the researches for natural gas and the second licensing round. “We achieved that having on our side in a crucial time for the future of Cyprus, the entire intentional community”, he stressed.
President Christofias also referred to the successful Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
In addition, he pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side with assertiveness and determination has not given to pressures for a change to the negotiation process and for adoption of an international conference in the Cyprus problem. Something, Christofias added, that would lead to tight timeframes and arbitration. “I wish and hope the same determination to be demonstrated in the future; otherwise we will inevitably be led to a bad solution of the problem.”
Christofias went on to say that in order to prevent the destructive partition of Cyprus and to secure our survival in the land we were born, we don`t need big words, but we need hard work, determination and persistence on principles.
He expressed his disagreement on criticism that the government’s policy on Cyprus issue was not fruitful, and blamed the Turkish stance for that.
Referring to the maronite community in Cyprus, President of the Republic has said that it is an integral part of the Cypriot people and underlined the historical visit of Pope Benedict in Cyprus on June 2010 and his meeting with the Patriarch of Maronite Church in Lebanon and his recent visit there.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The Turkish Cypriot unilateral declaration of independence was declared “legally invalid“ by UN Security Council resolution 541 of November 1983, which called on all states not to recognise the self-styled regime and not to facilitate it in any way. Only Turkey recognises the Turkish Cypriot puppet regime
