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CHRISTOFIAS: TURKEY REMAINS KEY FACTOR IN CYPRUS SOLUTION
Yan Liang
Xinhua
www.chinaview.cn
Feb 27 2008
China
NICOSIA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- President-elect of Cyprus Demetris
Christofias said on Tuesday that efforts to solve the Cyprus problem
also depend on Turkey, which has stationed up to 40,000 troops in
the north.
A pro-solution Christofias' election as the island state's new
president last Sunday has raised hopes that a solution to the
decades-old division may be worked out in the near future.
"I will make every effort to reunite the country on the basis
of principles and to see the human rights of all Cypriot, Greek
Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Maronites, Armenians and Latins respected,"
Christofias said as he bid farewell to the parliament as its speaker.
He admitted that the expectation was very high in the Turkish Cypriot
community concerning the search for a mutually acceptable solution.
But he underlined the fact that "a lot depends on Turkey" and Turkish
Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for a viable formula.
Christofias assured that as the new President of Cyprus Republic,
he will make every effort to solve the Cyprus problem to put an end
to the suffering of the people.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily
intervened and occupied the north of the island following a coup by
a group of Greek officers who pushed for a union with Greece.
In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities declared a breakaway territory
and set up the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized
only by Ankara.
Turkey has refused to recognized the European Union (EU) member the
Republic of Cyprus, which in fact only administrates the island's two
thirds of the Greek Cypriot south. This has been a main obstacle to
its EU membership ambition.
Ankara maintains a military presence in northern Cyprus with 30,000
to 40,000 troops, a key issue in the reunification talks between the
Cyprus' two communities.
Yan Liang
Xinhua
www.chinaview.cn
Feb 27 2008
China
NICOSIA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- President-elect of Cyprus Demetris
Christofias said on Tuesday that efforts to solve the Cyprus problem
also depend on Turkey, which has stationed up to 40,000 troops in
the north.
A pro-solution Christofias' election as the island state's new
president last Sunday has raised hopes that a solution to the
decades-old division may be worked out in the near future.
"I will make every effort to reunite the country on the basis
of principles and to see the human rights of all Cypriot, Greek
Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Maronites, Armenians and Latins respected,"
Christofias said as he bid farewell to the parliament as its speaker.
He admitted that the expectation was very high in the Turkish Cypriot
community concerning the search for a mutually acceptable solution.
But he underlined the fact that "a lot depends on Turkey" and Turkish
Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for a viable formula.
Christofias assured that as the new President of Cyprus Republic,
he will make every effort to solve the Cyprus problem to put an end
to the suffering of the people.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily
intervened and occupied the north of the island following a coup by
a group of Greek officers who pushed for a union with Greece.
In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities declared a breakaway territory
and set up the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized
only by Ankara.
Turkey has refused to recognized the European Union (EU) member the
Republic of Cyprus, which in fact only administrates the island's two
thirds of the Greek Cypriot south. This has been a main obstacle to
its EU membership ambition.
Ankara maintains a military presence in northern Cyprus with 30,000
to 40,000 troops, a key issue in the reunification talks between the
Cyprus' two communities.