The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, expressed his willingness to sit at the negotiating table even tomorrow during his remarks at the 46th anti-occupation event organized by the Municipality of Morphou in Astromeritis on Saturday evening. He also emphasized that he will not resort to actions designed to create temporary momentum, while making it clear that he intends to make concessions only on certain points that serve the goal of a functional and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem.
Expressing his gratitude to those present, and especially to the guests from abroad, President Christodoulides noted that a “a resounding message in every direction that we will not compromise on the occupation, and we will not waver from the great effort to liberate and reunify our homeland.”
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He added that the 46th anti-occupation event organized by the Municipality of Morphou “shows the only path we must follow: to work toward a common homeland for all its lawful residents, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians, and Latins—without exclusion, without discrimination, without exception.”
Referring to the remarks by the Mayor of Morphou, Victor Hadjiavraam, regarding the positive developments stemming from international momentum on the Cyprus issue, the President noted that since the beginning of his term, a “enormous effort to break the deadlock and create the conditions for the resumption of negotiations, which will lead us to a resolution of the Cyprus issue, based on the agreed framework and the negotiating acquis, and this is important for Morphou, always with respect for the Principles, Values, and Law of the European Union.”
“I would also like, from this very podium, in front of all of you, to reiterate with absolute sincerity—and sending this message in every direction—that I am fully prepared, even tomorrow, to sit down at the negotiating table, “I am ready even tomorrow to begin the dialogue,” the President emphasized, reiterating his commitment to the effort to resume negotiations, despite the problems, difficulties, and the Turkish President’s remarks at the United Nations General Assembly regarding a two-state solution.
He highlighted as key developments the completion of the inventory of points of convergence, the reaffirmation of the framework for a solution by the United Nations, the outgoing Secretary-General’s strong determination to exhaust every possibility for negotiation, the clear position of the UN Security Council—from which the UN Secretary-General, as well as both the current and the newly elected Secretary-General, derives their mandate—and the support of the institutions the European Union member states—as demonstrated, among other things, by the appointment of the Executive Vice-President of the Commission— based on the very important position that the Cyprus issue is a European problem, as well as the support of strategic partners.
“These are facts that allow us to be optimistic that a solution to the Cyprus problem is achievable. And if I didn’t believe that a solution to the Cyprus problem is achievable, I wouldn’t be dealing with this issue on a daily basis,” he said, emphasizing that he will not resort to “actions designed to create temporary momentum or false hopes.”
“I remain, first and foremost, a realist; I am well aware of our side’s limitations, and I am ready— and I state this publicly, to make concessions on certain points that serve the goal of a functional and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem,” President Christodoulides continued, noting that “anything that falls outside this framework—that of a functional and sustainable solution—cannot be accepted.”
“My guide and compass is the mandate I received from the Cypriot people to work toward a solution that will transform the Republic of Cyprus into a modern state, sovereign throughout its entire territory, free of an occupying army and without guarantor states possessing intervention rights, in which all its lawful citizens will have exactly the same rights as European citizens,” he emphasized.
He also stressed “that the negotiating framework we invoke and insist upon—which is part of the agreements finalized by the UN—includes the return of the city of Morphou,” while noting that this is “something the UN Secretary-General himself has pointed out—a position we strongly support and will not abandon.”
“I look forward to the meetings I will have in the coming period with both the Turkish Cypriot leader and the Secretary-General’s personal envoy; I look forward to the meetings of the Executive Vice President, EU Special Representative, with the Turkish Government, with the unshakable conviction that if there is even the slightest political will on all sides, then we will see progress in the desired direction,” said the President.
“We have put forward very specific positions in response to the Secretary-General’s request regarding the methodology of the negotiations, regarding the Joint Ministerial Committee, and, of course, regarding the substance of the Cyprus issue, and I am referring to new ideas—not ideas where we simply know the other side’s position is negative, but ideas that can help bring about substantive progress, ideas about which I have thoroughly briefed the political leadership,” he continued.
He then assured that he would continue to invest in cooperation with political forces, regardless of party or ideological affiliation, in order to make the most of the “last glimmer of hope for justice for our people,” as he put it.
Referring to the 66th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Cyprus, President Christodoulides said that during this period, “it suffered two decisive blows from Turkey. The first in 1963, with the withdrawal of Turkish Cypriots from the structures of the State. And the second, of course, with the illegal invasion in 1974 and the 52-year-long occupation of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.”
“Despite the administrative and territorial mutilation it suffered as a result of these two crimes—for crimes they are— the Republic of Cyprus, the only internationally recognized state representing the Cypriot people, conducts itself within the international community with dignity and credibility,” he noted, emphasizing that “it is this dignity and credibility that have contributed, among other things, to this international momentum.”
“We have every reason—without overlooking the problems and challenges—to feel proud of our people’s achievements and of the dignity with which they have moved forward under adverse conditions, with determination, fortitude, and perseverance for the reunification of our homeland,” the President concluded, assuring that “we will continue our struggle until we can move about freely throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Cyprus—from one end to the other.”
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