Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said here Monday that Turkey must implement the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement without any further delay.
He made the statement while receiving the credentials of new Ambassador of Chile to the Republic of Cyprus, based in Athens, Sofia Prats Cuthbert.
Presenting her credentials, the new Ambassador of Chile said her country has been committed to “Cyprus over the years through diplomatic efforts to help alleviate the consequences of its territorial division and to support a comprehensive and peaceful solution. As a member of the United Nations and by participating in the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, with military personnel from Chileâ€.
She reiterated “our dearest wish as a country that all Cypriots reach an understanding for a fair settlement of the Cyprus questionâ€.
She said that Europe has always constituted a relevant area for the country’s foreign policy. “And Cyprus as a member of the European Union is also relevant for usâ€, she noted, adding that in 2002 Chile signed an Association Agreement, which laid out the foundations of a new relationship between the European Union and Chile.
Cyprus and Chile, she added, are “in condition to face all challenges and grasp opportunities that will help us further explore new areas of cooperation, cultural exchange and business between our two countriesâ€.
The President of the Republic said the people of Cyprus and the people of Chile share common values and understanding. He said that “it is with great admiration that we have been following the remarkable and steadfast economic development of your country. In light of this, Cyprus earnestly supports the strengthening of relations between the European Union and Chile at all levels. The 2002 EU-Chile Association Agreement provides the necessary framework for strengthening the cooperation in new areas of mutual benefitâ€.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, President Papadopoulos said that the people of Cyprus are faced with the tragic consequences of the 1974 Turkish invasion and continued military occupation of 37% of our country. “Despite tireless efforts throughout the years to reach a functional and viable settlement, the Cyprus problem remains unsolved. This is due to Turkey’s policy of trying to ‘upgrade’ its illegal subordinate local administration in the occupied areas to that of a separate legal entity or ‘state’, short of diplomatic recognitionâ€.
The Cypriot President pledged to “continue to strive for the reunification of our country. For us, true reunification means reunification of the territory, society, economy and institutions of Cyprus. We remain committed to a viable and functional settlement of the Cyprus problem and we support a United Nations solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with a single sovereignty and one international personality. A viable solution should address the concerns of both communities and safeguard and guarantee the basic human rights of all Cypriots. To this end we appreciate the consistent and valuable support of the Government and the people of Chileâ€.
He said that the “8 July 2006 Agreement between myself and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community provides for a framework that ensures the preparation of the ground for negotiations and will allow for new comprehensive negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problemâ€, noting that “we remain committed to the full implementation of this agreed process, which enjoys the support of the United Nations Security Council. We will continue to engage constructively in order to ensure that this process is implemented without further delayâ€.
The President also referred to a series of measures the government has taken over the years to support and contribute to the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community.
He noted that Cyprus “earnestly supports the European orientation of Turkey, provided that Turkey fully meets the obligations it has undertaken towards the European Union and its member states. Without further delay, Turkey must implement the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement, open its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and aircraft, and put an end to its hostile policy of blocking Cyprus’ membership to International Organizations, as well as proceed with normalizing relations with the Republic of Cyprus, a Member State of the European Unionâ€.
