Cyprus is too small to be divided and big enough to accommodate all its children, President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias stressed here Tuesday.
In an address to the nation, on the 48th anniversary since independence from British colonial rule, the President remarked that a reunited Cyprus can become the common house of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots which will respect the distinctiveness of each community.
He said those forces of the people of Cyprus who agree and work for cooperation between the two communities, “should set up walls that will resist nationalism and chauvinism”, adding a solution should make Cypriots the real masters of their home and will not allow any foreign forces to intervene in its internal matters.
In his address, President Christofias said that “we celebrate 48 years since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. The independent Cyprus state is the result of the hard and long-term struggles of the people against colonialism”, he said, adding it is the common conquest of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
President Christofias said that the Republic of Cyprus is the “sturdy foundation on which our people can rest their progress and welfare on, their peaceful and secure future. This however, requires securing the entity of the state of Cyprus and that the solution to the Cyprus issue should end the occupation and reunite the island”.
Addressing the nation, President Christofias said that the de facto division caused by the invasion of Turkey in 1974, which used as pretext the traitorous junta coup in Athens and the EOKA B, should never constitute the solution to the Cyprus issue. “A non-solution is not a solution. Division tantamounts with destruction”, the President stressed.
“We are pursuing a solution based on the UN resolutions, the 1977 and 1979 high level agreements, the principles of international law and the principles and values of the European Union”, he underlined.
A reunited Cyprus, he added, foresees a bizonal, bicommunal federation with a single identity, a single indivisible sovereignty and a single nationality and an international personality and will be the common state of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
Referring to the direct talks underway with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, President Christofias said “our single aim is to find a common language and to reach a mutually acceptable agreed solution to the Cyprus issue”.
He said “we should not forget that the substance of the problem is the Turkish occupation, the presence of thousands of foreign occupation troops and illegal settlers on our island. For us, it is a fact that a solution should provide for an end to the occupation and settlement”, President Christofias stressed.
Turkey, he added, is responsible for the withdrawal of troops and ending the settlement, and “its leadership must accept what is clear. That Cyprus is an independent state, member of the UN and belongs solely to Cypriots. Turkey should play a constructive and positive role in solving the Cyprus issue if it wants to be led to the European family”.
President Christofias reiterated his commitment “that we will continue the persistent effort for a solution, with determination and flexibility but with consistency to principles” adding that a “necessary pre-requisite is our good will and logical positions meet the good will and logical positions of the Turkish Cypriot community”.
“We will continue maintaining a positive stance and will not respond to any statements and provocations from the other side”, Christofias said.
He acknowledged that the dialogue that has started is difficult, noting that “negativity and nagging offer nothing but desperation, idleness and fatalism”.
On the occasion of Cyprus’ Independence Day, President Christofias conveyed warm greetings to “our Turkish Cypriot compatriots”, noting “Cyprus is too small to be divided and big enough to accommodate all its children”. It can provide all the preconditions and capabilities for Cypriots to live here harmoniously”, he said, adding that “further to our vision for prosperity and progress, we have a vision for a fairer society that will satisfy the needs of its people and especially the vulnerable groups of the population”.
To implement this vision, “we are working hard and consistently since we undertook the presidency, despite the unfavourable international economic developments and the drought plaguing Cyprus”, noting “these developments call for being earnest and ready”.
