This is not the time to talk about presidential elections but to find a way to restart the peace process talks aiming at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides has said.

He noted that what the Cypriot society wants right now from all of us is to remain serious and committed to the ongoing and titanic effort which brings specific results either concerning the development of the economy, the reform actions, the implementation of Cyprus` energy plans or its upgrading role on regional and European level.

Christodoulides said that the society wants us to show the same seriousness regarding the aim to solve the Cyprus problem and reunite the island.

He said that we need to see how can we restart the peace process talks in order to explore the prospects for a positive outcome, adding that there is no other choice but to work to reunite our country.

In his speech at a memorial service of EOKA fighter Evagoras Pallikarides held on Sunday at Saint Theodoros Cathedral church in Pafos, Government Spokesman said that there is no other way to pay our debt to our heroes than to remain committed to the ongoing effort aiming at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem which will lead to the reunification of our country.

He also stressed that liberation requires all of us to be serious, hard working and determined as this island deserves justice, peace and security.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led talks between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities resumed in May 2015 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

The talks were interrupted in mid February by the Turkish Cypriot side, which demands that a decision passed by the Cypriot Parliament relating to a 1950 referendum on union with Greece is revoked, claiming this indicates a shift in the Greek Cypriot side`s goal for a federal solution. The amendment provides that there will be a very brief reference to the referendum at schools.

President Anastasiades has described the House decision as wrong and called on the leader of the Turkish Cypriot side, Mustafa Akinci, who walked out of the talks, to return to the negotiating table to discuss pending issues with a view to reaching a mutually acceptable agreement to reunite the country.