A Cyprus settlement must lead to a truly independent and sovereign state, free from any third country dependencies, military troops and guarantees, a modern, EU member state, in accordance with the international and European law, which will create true prospects of peaceful co-existence for all its citizens, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, said on Tuesday, receiving the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Cyprus, Vladimír Němec. 

Anastasiades reiterated his readiness to participate at the upcoming 5+1 informal meeting that the UN Secretary-General intends to convene, and stressed that the form of the envisioned settlement is none other than to establish a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, in line with the relevant UN Security Council Resolution and the values and principles upon the European Union is founded.

He also stressed that the participation of the EU in this process is crucial in view of Cyprus’ capacity as an EU member state and of the need for the solution to ensure a functional state within EU institutions. This is of utmost importance taking into account the EU’s significant role in ensuring and safeguarding the smooth and secure implementation of the provisions of a settlement, together with the UN, he added.

On his part, presenting his credentials, Ambassador Němec referred to the excellent relations between Cyprus and the Czech Republic, noting that they share common values, strengthened by joint membership in the EU and a number of international organizations, including the human rights ones.

“These values and respect for them must be the firm and unequivocal basis for a just solution to the Cyprus issue. My country deems it important, that a comprehensive, lasting and just solution can be achieved in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions, in conformity with the said values and international law,” he noted.

Ambassador Němec also said that “the Czech Republic exports medical products to Cyprus, among other things, and on the other hand, a number of Cypriot entrepreneurs operate in the Czech Republic, namely in the field of healthcare. At a time of pandemic, this cooperation is very important and I will support it with full force, as will the economic cooperation and trade between our countries,” he added.

Moreover, he expressed the belief that Czech tourists will be among the first to come back to Cyprus, after the pandemic.

Receiving the credentials, Anastasiades said among others, on his part, that “Cyprus and the Czech Republic have maintained over the years excellent bilateral relations based on mutual understanding and common principles, which is also attested by a broad institutional framework on a wide array of policy areas. It is my firm belief that the existing relations between our two countries will continue to expand and our cooperation will amplify in the years ahead for the mutual benefit of our people, he added.

Referring to the latest developments on the Cyprus problem, he said that “at this critical juncture, we have conveyed to the UN Secretary-General – whose efforts I unreservedly support – that the framework for the resumption of talks should be based on the existing body of work, the mutual understanding reached between the leaders of the two communities and the UN Secretary-General in November 2019 in Berlin, the Joint Declaration of February 2014 and the six-point framework Mr. Guterres presented at the Conference for Cyprus at Crans Montana.”

Moreover, he noted that it remains important that all stakeholders will work constructively towards the creation of conditions conducive for meaningful negotiations to take place in order to safeguard the prospects of a positive outcome.

He stressed that it would be impossible by anyone to expect that these conditions are fulfilled if any of the sides advocate solutions outside the UN established parameters or if Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side proceed with their plans for the full opening of the fenced area of Varosha, in clear violation of international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, or continue with their illegal activities within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus.

“In this regard, we hope that Turkey will finally adhere to the principles of International Law by ceasing any unlawful acts on the ground and at sea of the Republic of Cyprus, so as to avoid reaching a new catastrophic deadlock,” Anastasiades said.

He also expressed deep appreciation for the Czech Republic`s principled stance on the Cyprus issue and consistent support to efforts to reach a lasting and comprehensive settlement.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest UN backed round of talks took place in 2017, in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, but failed to yield any results.