Cyprus Permanent Representative to the UN Minas Hadjimichael has said that 2008 was a year of renewed hope for Cyprus, as direct negotiations between President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat began.
He also stressed that President Christofias has made it clear that the negotiations will not be easy but they are the only way ahead and stressed that he is determined to proceed until a viable, workable and permanent solution is found.
“To achieve this, the other side has to show the same willingness and determination,” Hadjimichael said in his address on the “Latest Development and new perspectives towards a solution to the Cyprus problem” at a charity event organised by the Hellenic American Bankers, in New York.
The Ambassador elaborated on the current process of direct negotiations between Christofias and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehemt AliTalat, and noted that despite Christofias’ constructive stance and good will gestures, the Turkish side does not seem to respond as it should to ensure substantive progress towards a settlement.
Referring to Barack Obama’s election to the US Presidency, Hadjimichael expressed the wish that the US will show “an improved policy” as regards the Cyprus question, based on the support of principles, international law and legality and not on the basis of political expediencies.
Cyprus Permanent Ambassador also noted possible difficulties that may arise from Turkey’s election to the Security Council for the next two years and the situation created in Kosovo, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
“We reject any effort to compare the issue of Cyprus with these cases,” he stressed.
He reiterated that the primary goal is the settlement of the Cyprus question that will terminate the continuing Turkish occupation and will reunify the country, the people, the institutions and the economy.
He said that the settlement will provide for a bizonal, bicommunal federation as provided by the 1977 and 1979 high level agreements and will restore human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people and it will be based on the UN Security Council and General Assembly decisions on the Cyprus question and on the international and European law principles.
He also said that the solution must come from the Cypriots who will be the owners of the negotiating process while the UN, through the UNSG Special Adviser Alexander Downer, will have a supportive role.
He also said that the adoption of the Euro was a historic milestone for the political and economic life of Cyprus and puts an end to Turkish demands for two separate monetary systems.
