Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos stated here today that he is looking forward to his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, which will take place on the 5th of September, noting that he expects to discuss with Talat ”practical ways on how to achieve a breakthrough in the 8 July process and expeditiously move forward with its implementation after a year of delays.”
”We believe that the implementation of the agreed process, which enjoys the full endorsement and support of the United Nations Security Council, will facilitate the resumption of substantive negotiations on the Cyprus problem under the auspices of the United Nations,” Papadopoulos said, speaking at a formal ceremony during which he received the credentials of the new Ambassador of Iceland to the Republic of Cyprus Guomundur Arni Stefansson.
The 8 July 2006 Agreement, signed between Papadopoulos and Talat, provides for the establishment of working groups to deal with substantive issues of the Cyprus problem and for technical committees to address day-to-day problems of the people, as well as confidence building measures.
”We are committed to achieving a last and functioning solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Security Council of the United Nations’ Resolutions, the principles of International Law and the principles and values on which the European Union is founded”, Papadopoulos stressed.
He underlined that ”we seek a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution that would address the legitimate concerns of both communities and where the human rights of all Cypriots, Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike, will be fully guaranteed and safeguarded. We strive for the reunification of our country, its people, society, institutions and economy.”
On his part the Ambassador of Iceland said that the Icelandic people have closely followed the political developments in Cyprus since Cyprus became independent in 1960 and have expressed concern over the tension between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
”Iceland has, furthermore, expressed appreciation over the recent positive developments in reconciling the differences between the two communities and continues to urge both sides to do their utmost to find long-term solutions to their differences,” he added, noting that Iceland has repeatedly reiterated its support for the UN endeavours to reconcile the different views in this long-standing dispute.
He also said that the two countries have a history of good political, economic and cultural relations and it is our wish to explore every future opportunity to further foster these relations and that Iceland highly appreciates Cyprus’ support for Iceland’s first time candidature to the UN Security Council 2009-2010.”
Replying, the President of the Republic said that in spite of the fact that geographically they are very far apart, Cyprus and Iceland have a long history of friendly bilateral relations and cooperation in international organizations.
”Our two countries are linked by their common adherence to the values of freedom, peace and democracy. In this respect, I would like to express the sincere appreciation and gratitude of the people of Cyprus and myself, for Iceland’s continuous support towards our efforts for finding a just and viable solution to our political problem,” he added.
Papadopoulos said that Cyprus’s accession to the European Union and Iceland’s participation in the European Economic Area provide new paths for further strengthening the two countries bilateral relations.
”There are now new opportunities available for the two countries in promoting and strengthening their existing cooperation and extending it further into new areas such as those of education, technology and trade,” he added.
As regards the political problem of Cyprus, Papadopoulos said that Turkey flagrantly violates the UN Resolutions on Cyprus and the very principles of International Law.
”A tangible proof of Ankara’s intentions is the organized and systematic introduction of settlers from Turkey in implementation of a policy to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory of Cyprus. This organized plan has already led to the settlers outnumbering the Turkish Cypriots by two to one, he added.
He also stressed that the ongoing organized illegal “sale†of Greek Cypriot properties to foreign nationals is part of Turkey’s objective to create new faits accomplis, and causes major concern to us, noting that 88% of private land in the occupied territory belongs to Greek Cypriots.
As regards Turkey’s European Union accession process, Papadopoulos said it has been supported by Cyprus, subject to one overriding and very substantive condition: that Turkey, like every other candidate country, is obliged to fulfil all her obligations towards the EU and all its Member States, including Cyprus.
Therefore, Turkey should proceed without further delay with the implementation of the Protocol to the Ankara Agreement, the opening of its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and aircrafts, the termination of the blocking of my country’s participation in several international and regional organizations and the normalization of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus, he stressed.
