President Nicos Anastasiades called for unity in the domestic front, stressing that the way through the peace talks is difficult.

The President was addressing an event to commemorate Evagoras Pallikarides, a member of EOKA during the 1955-1959 struggle against the British colonialism who was hanged by the British rulers in 1957 at the age of 19.

“Collective wisdom is the only way to deal with the difficulties”, the President stressed.

He noted that “after long, strenuous and persistent efforts” the Greek Cypriot side has managed to get Turkey involved in the negotiating process and pointed out that in order for the efforts to be successful, countries that influence Turkey must engage in the procedure.

President Anastasiades underscored that “undoubtedly the status quo burdens us and as time goes by it changes against the Greek Cypriots”.

The President urged the political leadership and the society to maintain a spirit of unity.

He also reiterated that the united Cyprus as a member of the United Nations and of the European Union, shall have a single international legal personality, a single sovereignty and a single citizenship.

Finally, he pointed out that “what we have achieved as a precondition to resume negotiations is of enormous and substantial value, but is only the beginning, still a step in the right direction”.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-backed talks resumed recently after the leaders of the two communities, namely President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu agreed on a seven point Joint Declaration outlining their vision of a reunited Cyprus.