Garoyian calls for unity among Cypriots

President of the House of Representatives and Democratic Party leader Marios Garoyian has pointed out the necessity for unity, based on the principles and rights of the people of Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus, as an EU member state.

Speaking on Sunday in London at a dinner hosted in his honour by the National Cypriot Federation, Garoyian said ''we will do everything for unity, to demand what we consider our inalienable rights,'' adding that ''we will support the President of the Republic in his efforts for a Cyprus settlement based on UN resolutions, the principles and values of the EU, the high level agreements and international law, an agreement that will last in time and will secure the human rights of the people of Cyprus as a whole.''

Referring to the direct negotiations between President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for a solution of the Cyprus problem, Garoyian said that unfortunately the Turkish side remains intransigent in its positions.

''If you consider the proposals submitted by the other side, you cannot be optimistic on the further course of the negotiations,'' Garoyian pointed out, adding that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to create the basis on which a functional, viable state can be built.

On Monday, Garoyian is scheduled to meet Minister for Europe Caroline Flint and Conservative Party MP, shadow Transport Secretary, Theresa Villiers. He will also speak at the political memorial event for late President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos, organised by the Democratic Party division of England.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.