Papadopoulos: better days will come

PRESIDENT Tassos Papadopoulos has called on Greek and Turkish Cypriots to unite and make a collective effort for a better future, but ruled out any revival of the Annan plan without improvements.

In a televised address to mark the 44th anniversary of independence, Papadopoulos said he wanted a settlement “the soonest possible”.

“This solution will necessarily be sought within the framework and philosophy of the (UN) plan,” he said. “This plan can obviously not be revived as is, or with small cosmetic changes … we want changes and amendments to this plan which will allow a functional, viable settlement,” he said.

Papadopoulos said a settlement would be sought “in the framework, the parametres and the philosophy” of the Annan plan with certain amendments that “would not overturn the philosophy of the plan but would allow for a functional and viable solution.”

He called on the people of both sides to unite “in the common peaceful struggle for the happier future of our common homeland”.

“We can establish a reunited homeland, society and economy together,” he said, adding that only within a reunited common homeland, with a reunited people, could Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots “prosper, progress and build their common future.”

“Forty-four years after the birth of the Republic of Cyprus and 30 years after the birth of our great drama of the invasion and occupation, the European Cyprus and its people have the right to hope and look forward to better days. And better days will come. Be sure of that,” he said.