The solution of the Cyprus problem should serve the interests of the people of Cyprus and not Turkey’s interests, Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou stressed here today.
Addressing overseas Cypriots on recent developments, the Foreign Minister said that although not much progress has been achieved at preparatory talks between teams of experts from the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, President Demetris Christofias has decided to engage in direct negotiations with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, to reunify Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.
Kyprianou was speaking at the 22nd meeting of the Central Boards of PSEKA (International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus) and POMAK (World Federation of Overseas Cypriots), as well as the 4th World Conference of NEPOMAK (World Federation of Young Overseas Cypriots), currently underway in Nicosia.
He said that the international community should encourage Turkey to adopt a positive stance on the Cyprus issue.
The Foreign Minister added that “the solution should serve the interests of Cypriots and not of Turkey. The foreign powers should encourage Turkey to display a positive stance on the Cyprus issue.” He noted that Turkey talks about “two states in Cyprus.”
“Of course, Turkey’s stance will be judged when negotiations begin'', he said, referring to the direct negotiations which will start September 3rd, between President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader.
''Turkish Cypriots should be given the chance to negotiate freely and Ankara must support a solution that will reunify the island”, he continued.
Kyprianou said that Turkey, which since 1974 holds 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus “should follow a clear stance and support a solution for one state in Cyprus”.
He said that the basis of a solution will be a bicommunal, bizonal federation, as agreed in the High Level Agreement of 1977, noting that this solution is a compromise for the Greek Cypriot side.
Kyprianou added that the Greek Cypriot side wants to reach a mutually agreed solution with the Turkish Cypriot side, and not a solution that will be imposed on Cypriots.
“We want an agreed solution and not an imposed one, a solution that will serve the interests of both sides, who will in the end have to live with that solution. But this does not mean that Turkey is absolved of responsibility”, he said.
Commenting on Turkish and Turkish Cypriot statements that occupied Morphou town will not be returned to the Greek Cypriots as part of a solution, he said that ''our basic principles have been expressed many times and should not surprise anyone, nor should they be considered by the other side as a negative act''.
He noted that although such discussions should not be held in public, especially ahead of the start of direct negotiations, ''all solution plans provided that urban areas and areas around them with a great number of Greek Cypriot inhabitants – refugees, should be returned to Greek Cypriot administration.'' This, he pointed out, “has always been the position of the Greek Cypriot side and should not surprise anyone, when expressed in public''.
Earlier Wednesday, Kyprianou held a meeting with Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis.
In statements after the meeting, Kyprianou said that if Turkey wishes to join the European Union, it should first adopt a positive stance at the negotiations on Cyprus and normalise its relations with Nicosia.
He added that Turkey will not be able to become a full EU member state, unless it contributes to the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Referring to his meeting with the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister, Kyprianou said they discussed “practical ways of cooperation and coordination of efforts to support overseas Cypriots”.
He also thanked the government and the people of Greece for their steadfast and continuous support to the struggle of the people of Cyprus for justice.
In his statements, Kassimis reiterated the “full support of the Greek Prime Minister, the Greek Foreign Minister and the whole country to the initiatives of President Christofias to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem”.
He added that he discussed with the Cypriot Foreign Minister practical ways to help coordinate efforts to strengthen the Greek and Cypriot Diaspora, with emphasis on language, culture, education and joint action in the Middle East and Africa.
