.jpg)
Cyprus President Demetris Christofias has said that that Greek Cypriot side is ready to show the necessary flexibility with a view to creating the necessary preconditions that will lead to a mutually accepted settlement of the Cyprus question.
He also said that he is “determined to defend principles and values which are internationally safeguarded.”
“We do not compromise with division or the notion of the existence of two peoples on the island and no one has the moral right for such compromises”, Christofias stressed, adding that direct negotiations on the Cyprus question which began on September 3 this year opened a window of hope.
“We have proved internationally our sincere intention and political will to reunite our country,” he said, noting that “we refuse to compromise with unacceptable and new given solutions.”
Cyprus President said that “we remain firm on our principles, on a settlement that will end Turkey’s occupation and terminate illegal immigration by Turkish settlers, a solution which will restore and safeguard human rights and the fundamental freedoms of the people, including the right of the refugees to return to their homes and properties.”
Christofias noted that “we expect that the other side will also show the same spirit of cooperation”, adding that “we stand at the beginning of a difficult effort.”
“Based on our long-standing and friendly relations with Mehmet Ali Talat (Turkish Cypriot leader) and the Republican Turkish Party, we expected a more optimistic course at the negotiations. But we are not disappointed. With prudence, political maturity and defending principles we will struggle for a settlement that will come from the Cypriots – Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots – and serve only the interests of the Cypriot people,” he added.
Christofias reiterated that “we are struggling for a settlement on the basis on UN resolutions for Cyprus, a settlement that will provide for the demilitarization of a United Federal Republic of Cyprus, with a single and undivided sovereignty, an international personality, a single citizenship and political equality, as provided by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and a settlement that will certainly abide by EU principles and values.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Christofias and Talat have been engaged in talks since September to find a mutually acceptable solution that will reunite the country.
