Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos reiterated here Monday that his government remains committed to the full implementation of the July 8 2006 agreement, for this process is necessary for the proper preparation of a new successful effort for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
”For us, the government and the Cypriots, the solution of the Cyprus problem, the real reunification of the island, is an absolute priority, a matter of extreme urgencyâ€, because the passing of time works, unfortunately, in favour of the perpetuation of the division,” Papadopoulos said addressing the state banquet in honour of President of the Republic of Malta, Edward Fenech-Adami.
He stressed that ”our aim remains to reach, without delay, a mutually acceptable solution, through negotiations, under the auspices of the UN, on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, which will safeguard the true reunification of Cyprus, its territory, people, economy and institutions.”
An agreed solution, he said, based on international law, the relevant Resolutions of the United Nations, to be compatible with the principles and values on which the European Union is founded.
The Cypriot President reiterated that ”the Republic of Cyprus remains committed to and consistent with the promotion of the full implementation of the 8th July Agreement, which provides for the simultaneous start of bicommunal discussions on substantial issues of the Cyprus problem and on issues that affect the everyday life of all Cypriots.”
”This process is necessary for the proper preparation of a new successful effort for the solution of the Cyprus problem,” he underlined.
Papadopoulos also referred to the Cypriot government’s efforts and unilateral actions, aiming at the creation of a climate of trust and conditions of cooperation and coexistence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
”We have supported and continue to economically support the Turkish Cypriot community through a series of measures. We truly believe in building confidence through measures, the implementation of which will have immediate, tangible results,” he added.
Papadopoulos said that in response to the deliberate certain policies of Ankara, aiming at legalizing the fait accompli of the invasion, the demographic change of the occupied areas and the permanent division of our island on the pretext of ending the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, the Cyprus Government is promoting unifying proposals which will allow Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to move forward together and not in parallel and separately.
He recalled his government’s announcement of a Financing Plan for Joint Ventures from Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and/or citizens of other member states of the European Union for the aid of economic and particularly commercial activities across the Green Line, expressing hope that ”Cypriot citizens will grasp the opportunity, thereby making a step towards real collaboration and interaction between members of the two Communities.”
Papadopoulos expressed Cyprus’ gratitude over Malta’s ”diachronic principled position in our efforts to solve the longstanding Cyprus problem.”
He also reiterated that Cyprus supports the European perspective of Turkey under the condition that this country will adopt the acquis, the principles and values of the Union and European conduct and proceed, without further delay, to the implementation of its outstanding European Union obligations.
Papadopoulos referred to the common accession of Cyprus and Malta in the EU, which ”transformed us into the two southern pivots of the Union, and has created new opportunities and new challenges,”, as well as the two countries’ entry in the Eurozone in January 2008, which will enable our people to do business in a much easier way.
Furthermore, President Papadopoulos praised the ”excellent” bilateral relations between Malta and Cyprus. ”Our shared values in the expressed policies of our Governments, our similar perception for the future of the Mediterranean area and the proximity with which we address regional issues, the common concerns we face as small, island countries of Mare Nostrum, all constitute a sound foundation for strengthening our connections and enhancing our areas of mutual cooperation,” he said.
”It goes without saying that for Cyprus, Malta is more than a European partner. It is, in effect, a very close friend, an ally, on which Cyprus can, no doubt, rely on. It is a relation that has been tested throughout difficult tasks and years”, the President concluded.
Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on 8 July 2006, during a meeting in Nicosia to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
