The prolongation of the de facto division of Cyprus is in the interest of Turkey and not of the people of Cyprus, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said Monday.
Inaugurating an exhibition of the Press and Information Office in Nicosia, on behalf of President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, to mark the end of a series of events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus, Stephanou said that the communities comprising the people of Cyprus have survived through tragedies and calamities, but have not reached their goal yet.
He noted that the Cypriot people will reach their goal, ''once the Turkish occupation will come to an end, the de facto division of our island will end and the songs and dances of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will unite in a free, common country, within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as agreed in 1977.
Stephanou added that despite efforts, a solution has not been reached, mainly due to the negative, intrasigent Turkish stance.
He moreover said that, despite the Turkish policy on Cyprus, Cypriots have not the right to abandon their efforts, since Turkey is the only party who is benefiting from the prolongation of the division.
The present and the future of the Cypriot people, he added, remain at stake as long as the island is under Turkish occupation and said that “it is our obligation to continue the arduous voyage to Ithaca, despite disappointments and challenges''.
Referring to the photographic exhibition, which is part of the general exhibition, Stephanou noted that through the photographic images people may reflect on the historic path and realize “how we reached here” and “what we did wrong to end up in the double crime in 1974 of the treacherous, fascist coup d’etat of the Athens junta and EOKA B’, and of the Turkish invasion that followed”.
Through the imaginary reproduction of events we may notice our mistakes and shortcomings, in order to move forward, and not to stick in the past, the Government Spokesman concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, under a federal roof.
