PRESIDENT Demetris Christofias has said that overseas Cypriots have a role to play in efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement, noting that the government would be reviewing its policy, in order to strengthen overseas Cypriots and facilitate their role.
Opening the 22nd Conference of the Central Council of the World Federation for Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the International Co-ordinating Committee ‘Justice for Cyprus’ (PSEKA), and the 4th Conference of the World Organisation for Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK) in Nicosia, the President expressed the hope that the Turkish Cypriot side would attend talks with good will and reasonable positions.
He noted that “negotiations will not be easy, because we will come across the implacable positions rooted in the Turkish establishment for control over Cyprus, with the excuse of protecting the Turkish Cypriots.”
He added: “We wish once again to clarify that with the solution of the Cyprus problem we are aiming at the creation of a reunited Federal Republic of Cyprus, which will be a continuation and evolvement of the Republic of Cyprus, which was established in 1960, as the common state of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Our aim is for the solution to terminate the occupation and the influx of Turkish settlers, to reunite our people, the land, the institutions and the economy of our state. Our immovable aim is for the solution to restore and guarantee the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all the people.”
President Christofias assured that efforts were focusing on a solution that would “make the people of Cyprus the real masters of their land and that no foreign power can have the right or the capacity to intervene at will in the internal affairs of our country. We are struggling for an independent Cyprus for the Cypriots which will neither be a second Greek state nor a state under guardianship, an extension of Anatolia.”
He also said that the government would continue its policy of undertaking initiatives. “You, our overseas friends and your organisations, also have a position and role in this policy, through the relationships you have established over the years in the countries you live and work in. The best ever climate that exists regarding Cyprus creates conducive ground to activate the international community in the direction of contributing towards a solution.”
Concluding his speech, President Christofias said that “this is the main duty for all of us during this period,” and expressed certainty that overseas Cypriots are ready to undertake their own share of the responsibility, “so that together we can manage to fulfil this duty and pave the way for a solution.”
Also commenting was Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou, who said that the efforts of overseas Cypriots “awaken and activate the forces and factors necessary to achieve our great aim, which is the reunification of our homeland.”
Referring to POMAK and PSEKA, he said their work strengthens Cyprus internationally, noting that the youth especially are “the golden hope of the future.”
