Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou has expressed the gratitude of Cypriot Hellenism for the continuous efforts of overseas Cypriots to promote a just and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem.
Addressing the 22nd Conference of the Central Council of the World Federation for Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), and the 4th Conference of the World Organisation for Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK) in Nicosia on Tuesday, Kyprianou said the presence of overseas Cypriots in Cyprus every year ''symbolises the common wish and collective effort for the solution of the Cyprus problem.''
Kyprianou said that the efforts of overseas Cypriots ''awaken and activate the forces and factors necessary to achieve our great aim, which is the reunification of our homeland.''
He assured that the government would support the overseas Cypriots, and also referred to the steadfast support of the Greek government and people to the struggle of Cyprus and its people for a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Referring to POMAK and PSEKA, he said their work strengthens Cyprus internationally, noting that the youth especially are ''the golden hope of the future.''
President of the Hellenic Parliament Demetris Shioufas sent a message to the conference, which was read out by Chairman of the Special Permanent Committee of Overseas Hellenism at the Hellenic Parliament, Nicolaos Tsiartionis.
In his message, Shioufas expressed hope that the next conference would take place in a reunited Cyprus and that direct negotiations between the leaders of the two communities, to begin on September 3, would lead to a democratic, European, functional and viable settlement the soonest possible.
Addressing the conference, Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Theodoros Kassimis expressed the support of the Greek government to the efforts of President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias to achieve a settlement of the Cyprus problem, noting that ''overseas Cypriots are an important and select section of Hellenism, fighting for the rights of the island.''
''We want to rebuild the model of peaceful cohabitation in a shaken international society. This is the vision of President Christofias, which we support,'' he said, adding that soon there would be joint actions between the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) and the organisations of overseas Cypriots.
In an address read out to the conference, President of SAE Stefanos Tamvakis said the Council would continue to support POMAK and PSEKA, as well as Cyprus and the people of the island, since ''the issues of national importance for Hellenism are a field of cooperation and joint action, and our role must be clear and constructive.''
He added that SAE and Hellenism all over the world stand by Cypriot Hellenism and support the responsible policies of the leaderships of both Cyprus and Greece.
President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have agreed to begin direct talks on September 3, aimed at finding a mutually acceptable settlement.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
