We will do everything possible for the resumption of the Cyprus talks, President says

We will do everything possible to create the conditions for the resumption of the Cyprus talks, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides has said.

The President, who was speaking to journalists before addressing the Political and Ideological Conference of Socialist Party EDEK, in Nicosia on 17 November, said that everyone recognises the decisive role of the Greek Cypriot side as regards the restart of the talks.

Invited to comment on statements made by the leader of the left wing AKEL party about a mobility as regards the Cyprus problem, the President of the Republic said that there is indeed mobility, noting that "an important reason why there is mobility is our own actions, both at the international level and in the EU".

"It is something that is recognised by all and we will do everything possible to create the conditions for the resumption of talks", he stressed.

I believe, he added, that "everyone, both in the internal front and abroad, recognises the decisive role of our side in resuming the talks".

Asked whether he shares the approach that Turkey's changed stance on the Kurdish issue could lead to a change of stance on the Cyprus issue as well, he replied that "everything will be decided at the negotiating table".

"You understand that through analysis or statements no safe estimates can be made. All of us will be judged at the negotiating table," he pointed out.

Invited to say where does he bases his optimism given the statements by Turkish officials and the Turkish Cypriot leader, who refer to a "solution based on the realities on the island", the President of the Republic said we are also in favor of a solution based on the realities, stressing that those realities are that the island was illegally invaded and is still occupied.

"And the reality on the island is that we have an illegal invasion, an illegal occupation and at the same time we have a Republic of Cyprus, which is a member state of the EU and will continue to be even after a possible solution of the Cyprus issue".

And this state, he underlined, "will not only continue to play its role in the region, but must clearly strengthen it further".

"So, the most important reality in Cyprus is one and only, the Turkish occupation for 50 years now", he stressed. 

 Meanwhile, asked if the government agrees with the organisation of an event by the Municipality of Famagusta with the illegal municipality of Turkish occupied Famagusta, the President said that events that aim at one and only goal, the reunification of our country, the liberation and the end of the illegal occupation, should be done.

The President, who said that he is not aware of the full details of the event, noted that "any joint event of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, condemning the illegal Turkish invasion, of course should be done."

he Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, is divided by Turkish troops since the Turkish invasion in the summer of 1974. 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)