President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias assured on Friday that he would continue to strive towards achieving a just, viable and functional settlement of the Cyprus problem, noting that the key to a solution was in Turkey, which should change its intransigent policy, and that efforts within the EU and the international community were bearing fruit.
He also said he was determined to press on with direct negotiations with the Turkish Cypriot side for a comprehensive settlement, that would serve the interests of the people as a whole, and pointed out that in order for the efforts to be successful, unity and consent on the internal front were of great importance.
In his opening remarks during a press conference to mark the first year of his term in office and referring to the Cyprus problem, President Christofias said ''the government's programme is the guiding light and compass of our governance'' and is a point of reference, which ''commits us to work for a just solution to the Cyprus problem and for a fairer society.''
Quoting the government's programme, President Christofias said it determines that ''it is a pressing need for the Greek Cypriot side to undertake the initiative of moves'' and that ''a flexible and sincere policy will allow for either the current deadlocks to be overcome or, if Turkey does not alter it stance, to bring to the forefront its responsibilities for the intransigent policy it is following.''
''Our aim is the solution of the Cyprus problem but we have said many times that the key to the solution is in Turkey,'' he said, adding that ''there will be a solution to the Cyprus problem if Turkey shows understanding and changes its policy, alters its stance.''
President Christofias said that since his election last year, ''we undertook initiatives to achieve the aim of a just, viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem, which will terminate the occupation and settling and reunite the country, the people, the economy and the institutions, in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as described in the relevant UN resolutions, a single federal state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international identity, safeguarding the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the whole of the people, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins.''
''Our policy on the Cyprus problem aims at the activation and collaboration of all factors at home and internationally, who play or could play a role in the comprehensive settlement of the problem,'' he added.
Referring to results so far, President Christofias said the deadlocks were lifted and mobility was created, and the two communities entered direct talks for a settlement. He added that the basis of a solution was reaffirmed, namely a bizonal bicommunal federation, and that the interest of the international community in the Cyprus problem was rekindled and the international community credits the Greek Cypriot side with sincerity and good will for a solution.
''It is becoming accepted that the ownership of the negotiating process is Cypriot. It does not provide for tight deadlines or arbitration,'' he said, adding that ''our continuous efforts and contacts for the assumption of a specific role on behalf of the EU are bearing fruit.''
He said that the setting up of a group to monitor the Cyprus problem under the President of the European Commission is ''the result of these efforts,'' adding that ''it is now a position of the EU that Turkey in its accession course should meet its obligations towards the Union and the Republic of Cyprus and should also cooperate for a solution that will serve the interests of the Cypriots.''
President Christofias also noted that ''we have strengthened our relations with the President of the European Parliament and all its groups.''
''The Republic of Cyprus has come out of the corner, in which certain circles unjustly placed it after the referenda of 2004. The initiative is now in the hands of the Republic of Cyprus,'' he noted.
President Christofias said that, ''irrespective of the difficulties we are meeting in the negotiations, we are determined to continue them and take them to the end, always based on the principles of international and European law, and showing the necessary flexibility to reach a solution that will lead to the withdrawal of the troops and the termination of settling, a solution that will safeguard the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people as a whole.''
''With the same diligence and dedication we will continue the international mobility so that the international factor, and especially the UN, on the basis of the resolutions of which we are seeking a solution, keeps the Cyprus problem high on their agenda,'' he assured.
Referring to the issue of missing persons, President Christofias said the government was continuously striving to determine their fate and the conditions under which they disappeared.
''In order for our efforts for a solution to be successful, unity and consent on the internal front are of great importance. In order to achieve unity, the President of the Republic regularly briefs the leadership of the country, either within the National Council or in separate meetings with the leaders of the parties,'' he added, noting however that he was ''not sufficiently satisfied with the level of unity.''
President Christofias noted that the National Council convened seven times since he was elected and announced that the next meeting would be held on March 10.
Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
