Labour and Social Insurance Minister Sotiroula Charalambous has stressed the need for unity and support for President Demetris Christofias in his efforts to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.
In a speech on Sunday at Xilotimbou village of Larnaca district to mark the annual memorial service of hero Zacharias Spyrou, killed during the invasion, Charlambous said it is clear that the road to a solution and the process which begins with the direct talks next month will be hard.
“There are some points of convergence between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities but there are also big differences. The President will count on our support,” she said.
Charalambous explained that the Greek Cypriot side is seeking a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution, which will secure human rights and respect European values.
“A United Federal Cyprus will have a single sovereignty, one international personality and citizenship and will provide for political equality for the two communities, as this is defined by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” she added.
The Labour Minister called on the Turkish Cypriot side to participate in the talks with a constructive spirit, with a view to finding an honorable compromise which will put the interests of all Cypriots over and above anything else and will reunite the territory, the people and the country’s institutions.
At the same time, she said, “we expect Turkey to cooperate for a just, viable and functional solution to the Cyprus issue.”
Charalambous said that this year’s anniversaries to mark the 1974 coup and the Turkish invasion “come at a time of renewed mobility and developments in Cyprus”. Referring to the start of the talks, she said “this positive development is the result of initiatives and action undertaken on our part in the past months.”
“It is clear that the road to a solution and the process which begins with the direct talks will be hard and rough,” she said, noting that the Greek Cypriot side will sit at the talks with a constructive disposition and optimism.
The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, decided on July 25 to start full-fledged negotiations on September 3rd, with a view to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem.
