President pledges to do his utmost for the resumption of Cyprus peace talks

President Nikos Christodoulides has pledged once again that he will do everything humanly possible to overcome the Turkish intransigence and resume the talks for a Cyprus solution on the agreed framework.

Speaking during the 7 November evening unveiling ceremony of the "Refugee Monument of 1922" and inauguration of the Park of Asia Minor Hellenism in Nicosia, the President pointed out that the Asia Minor catastrophe was a huge humanitarian tragedy, a 20th-century war crime with an estimated of 150,000 human losses.

He spoke about the brotherly ties between Cyprus and the refugees from Asia Minor, noting that the people of Cyprus too know about injustice, war, refugees, and destruction.

According to the President, Cyprus became the second home for about 3,000 Asia Minor refugees, after the disaster of 1922. He said that the refugees contributed to the progress of the Cyprus society and said that they managed not only to be reborn but also to contribute to the advancement of Cypriot society, the culture, and the arts.

President Christodoulides said that he pledges before the Cyprus people who know very well what uprooting means, that he will do everything humanly possible to abate the Turkish intransigence and resume the efforts for a Cyprus solution. He noted that these efforts are persistent as we want to give the citizens of this country, and especially the new generation, the opportunity to progress in conditions of security, peace, and prosperity.

The President also referred to his participation in an international conference about Gaza in Paris. He said once again that Cyprus’ proposal for a humanitarian corridor is getting a positive response from heads of state and heads of institutions and made special reference to Cyprus’ location in the region and the friendly relations with all neighboring states.

Strovolos Mayor Andreas Papacharalambous said that the monument will stand as a tribute to history, tradition, and culture. Head of the Cyprus Asia Minor Association, Mona Savvidou Theodoulou expressed her gratitude for the monument. Deputy Head of the Embassy of Greece Eleni Bisbikoglou, said that the monument will forever preserve the reminiscence of the Asia Minor culture.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.  

(Source: CNA)