President Demetris Christofias has said that he and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have a responsibility to fulfill the aspirations of all Cypriots.
He also expressed hope that the wisdom and patriotism will guide them in their efforts to establish a federal Cyprus, free of foreign interventions.
Addressing an event at Ledra Palace to honour the politicians who participated in the first bi-communal meeting between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties in 1989, President Christofias noted that the aim of the direct negotiations is the reunification of the island, under the auspices of the United Nations.
Christofias praised the contribution towards a Cyprus solution of the late President Tassos Papadopoulos and the late Turkish Cypriot politician Ozger Ozgur.
President Christofias said that he is convinced that along with Talat, they will do their best to achieve a united federal Cyprus, in which the freedoms of all Cypriots will be restored.
In his speech, Talat said that the meetings between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriots political parties are very important and help towards mutual understanding between the two communities.
He said that the two leaders can find a common solution plan, which will be put to simultaneous referenda. He expressed hope that this effort will not fail because, as he said, “it will be difficult to have a positive outcome after another failure.”
“We are doing our best”, Talat said, adding that they are seeking a viable solution of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality. Finally, he said he expects a positive outcome of the negotiations by the end of the year.
At the event, former President of the Republic Glafkos Clerides, the late President Tassos Papadopoulos, the Honorary President of the Movement of Social Democrats EDEK Vasos Lyssarides, former Foreign Minister Nicos Rolandes, the late Ozger Ozgur and Turkish Cypriot politician Mustafa Akkinzi were honoured.
The Ambassador of Slovakia to Cyprus Anna Turenicova addressed the event, praising the good disposition of politicians from both sides who attend the meetings and paying tribute to the pioneers of these meetings.
Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunite the island, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.
