Christofias appeals for unity in New Year message

PRESIDENT Demetris Christofias yesterday appealed for unity on the domestic front that would assist in reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem.
In his New Year’s message, Christofias said unity on the domestic front was as necessary to finding a solution as the Turkish side showing good will.
“We are sorry to observe that the level of unity that exists does not satisfy us,” the President said.
Christofias called for an end to disputing the bizonal, bicommunal federation as the form of a potential solution “irrespective of the pretexts.”
“Commitment to this solution, which the Greek Cypriot side has assumed since 1977 and all presidents of the Republic of Cyprus have honoured since, is the minimum basis for building unity.”
Unity necessitates the termination of scare-mongering and spreading various scenarios for a supposed interim agreement and the existence of a prepared plan that would be imposed on the people, Christofias said.
He urged the people not to listen to such rumours and remain calm.
 Christofias wished all Cypriots happy New Year that would bring to the country lasting peace and prosperity.
“To succeed in enjoying the fruit of permanent peace … it is necessary to find a solution to the Cyprus problem,” Christofias said.
The Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities have been engaged in direct talks for the past 16 months but “unfortunately I cannot say we are close to a solution,” he added.
The president said there is a difference in views in some aspects while some issues have not been sufficiently discussed.
“However, progress has been achieved, even if it was below our expectations,” Christofias said.
He said the talks were difficult but patience and realism was necessary as well as persistence to principles in order to reach a solution.
“We negotiate with the Turkish Cypriot community to achieve a compromising, mutually acceptable solution,” the President said. “I want to assure that the difficulties in the negotiations do not frighten us. They make us more tenacious to continue the efforts, always consistent with the principles of solution of the Cyprus problem.”
Christofias said the New Year finds Cyprus struggling with the negative effects of the global economic crisis.
He said collective effort from all the political forces and social partners was necessary at this time to tackle the effects and exit the crisis.
“Irrespective of the difficulties I want to assure that we will continue with the implementation of the ambitious program of our administration for the strengthening of the social state, promoting development and bolstering the mixed economy,” Christofias said.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.