The stance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan highlights the divide that exists in the effort to resolve the Cyprus issue and the enormous effort we need to make to breakthe impasse and end the stalemate, said Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou in remarks on Friday at the event “Memories of Occupied Land.”
“The contemptuous attitude displayed by the Turkish President toward President Christodoulides in the presence of the UN Secretary-General, [in Antalya] diminishes him and does not negate the reality that, the international community regards the President of the Republic as the head of the only internationally recognized state in Cyprus, a member of the United Nations and the European Union,” he emphasized.
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Mr. Antoniou assured that despite the problems and obstacles, we remain committed to the effort to create the conditions for the resumption of negotiations on the basis of the agreed framework, while respecting the negotiating acquis, the principles, values, and law of the EU.
“The President of the Republic is ready to attend the trilateral meeting chaired by the Secretary-General with the aim of reaching a decision to convene a new expanded conference on the Cyprus issue, at which the resumption of negotiations will be announced,” he said.
He reiterated that our goal is for the Republic of Cyprus to evolve into a European state, free of occupying forces, free from the anachronistic system of guarantees with intervention rights—a state that will offer all its lawful residents—Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians, and Latins, the right to live, work, and create in conditions of security and prosperity.
The deputy member of the Central Committee also noted that despite Turkey’s enormous efforts, the pseudo-state remains an illegal entity, with no standing whatsoever in the global political, legal, or economic system.
He added that the Republic of Cyprus leverages its European status and the synergies it has developed with various European and third countries, emphasizing that in this complex international environment, and without a trace of fear-mongering, it is important to understand that the Republic of Cyprus remains the ark of our people, the shield and spear of our struggle to free ourselves from the yoke of Turkish occupation.
Elsewhere in his speech, he emphasized that the Government stands by the refugee municipalities and communities, noting that for 2027, the projected grant for the occupied local government authorities has been increased and amounts to €5.3 million.
He also noted that the Government is implementing two initiatives to support the occupied municipalities and communities, such as the new “NOSTOS” grant program “NOSTOS” and the Support Program for Periodical Publications of Occupied Municipalities and Communities. Mr. Antoniou also added that the government is making provisions to meet housing needs; for 2027, €85.7 million is earmarked for the implementation of the refugee housing policy, while for the three-year period 2027–2029, total appropriations amount to €245.3 million.
Source: CNA
