Economic difficulties will not bend our determination for a Cyprus solution

Interior Minister Socrates Hasikos sent Sunday the message that any temporary difficulties due to the economic woes in Cyprus will neither bend nor curb the determination and the fighting spirit of Cypriot people.

In his speech at a national memorial service, he said that now is the time to consider “our own historical responsibility and our duty towards our homeland”.

“We will not allow any forgery or falsification of our history. Nor we will bend to any blackmail and inappropriate pressure, “he said.

He added that the government is working methodically, systematically, with integrity and honesty towards the resumption of negotiations in Cyprus to achieve a negotiated solution, fair, balanced, functional and sustainable. A solution that respects the European acquis and international law, human rights of all legal residents of the island and that ensures no problems or obstacles to the right of Greek Cypriots to live free in the land of their ancestors, without occupation troops.

He also referred to major developments in the island, which require unity for developing a nationwide strategy, as the discovery of hydrocarbons in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the upgrading of the island’s geostrategic role in the Eastern Mediterranean, due to Syria crisis.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Previous UN led efforts to reunify the island have been unsuccessful. New talks are expected to begin in the autumn.