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CYPRUS PRESIDENT: A SOLUTION IS 'MORE NECESSARY TODAY THAN EVER BEFORE'
Cyprus News Agency
April 13 2012
Nicosia, 13 April: The Greek Cypriot side is ready to continue the
negotiations for a settlement to the Cyprus problem, Cyprus President
Demetris [Dimitrios] Christofias has stressed, underlying that a
just, under the circumstances, viable and functional solution is more
necessary today than ever before.
In an Easter Message, the President said that the dilemma today is
not between the pursued goal of a solution based on a bi-zonal,
bi-communal federation and another abstract solution but between
a solution and partition. He noted however that we cannot accept
and cannot compromise with unacceptable arrangements, as we cannot
compromise with partition itself.
He also referred to the financial crisis which, in his words, raises
a number of serious problems for our state and our society, noting
however that the government addresses the economic crisis in a way
that will have the least possible repercussions on the average citizen.
"This year's Easter finds our homeland under semi-occupation for the
37th year, it finds it de facto divided, with the human rights and
basic freedoms of the Cypriot people still being violated by Turkey,
the occupying power," the President said in his message.
Pointing out that the current unacceptable situation creates immense
dangers for the future, Christofias added that "each day that passes
by solidifies the effort for the full Turkification of our occupied
territory."
"Time works against us. The continuing influx of settlers, apart from
the fact that it changes the demographic structure of the island,
harbours serious dangers for new adventurous actions by Turkey in the
future. The achievement of a just, under the circumstances, viable
and functional solution is more necessary today than ever before,"
he noted.
In his remarks, Christofias noted that the dilemma today is not
between the pursued goal of a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal
federation and another abstract solution. "The real dilemma today is
between a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality as
defined by the resolutions of the Security Council for one state,
with one and single sovereignty, citizenship and international
personality, and the partition which will be disastrous for our
people," he pointed out.
The President made clear that the Greek Cypriot side is "fully prepared
for a solution, but not just any "solution" that will ultimately
bring about new hardships for our people."
"We seek a dignified solution. A solution that will reunify our
country, our people, the institutions and the economy. We cannot
accept and cannot compromise with unacceptable arrangements, as we
cannot compromise with partition itself. This must be clear to Turkey
as well as to the Turkish Cypriot leadership and the international
community," he stressed.
Referring to the UN-backed negotiations which began in September
2008, Christofias said the stagnation observed in the talks should
not disappoint us neither lead us away from our goal.
"Our side is fully prepared to continue the process with the solution
of the Cyprus issue as the clear goal," he said adding that "the strong
support that Cyprus enjoys today from important countries-permanent
and non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, the European
Union and other countries and Organizations -is a decisive factor in
our efforts."
The Turkish Cypriot side insists that the UN-backed talks should be
terminated after the assumption of the EU rotating presidency by the
Republic of Cyprus on July 1. Christofias has repeatedly expressed his
readiness to continue the negotiations in parallel with the Cypriot
EU presidency.
Referring to the ongoing global financial crisis, Christofias noted
that the people of Cyprus, are going through an ordeal.
"Apart from the continuing occupation, the repercussions of the
unprecedented world economic crisis raise a number of serious problems
for our state and our society. We address the economic crisis in a
way that will have the least possible repercussions on the average
citizen," he said, noting that a simple comparison of Cyprus with
other European countries "proves that we tackle the consequences of the
world economic crisis with the maximum possible social sensitivity and
honest consideration for our youth, the working people, the unemployed,
the pensioners, the handicapped, the recipients of public assistance,
and in general our fellow citizens in need."
Noting that "the road to Golgotha leads to Resurrection," the
President said that the discovery of natural gas, the second round
of licensing and the investments in the field of energy, "create
an excellent prospect in the years to come for Cyprus to become
an energy centre with important positive changes in the economic,
political and social fields."
Initial results of a well carried out by Houston-based Noble Energy
in Cyprus block 12 indicated the existence of a natural gas reservoir
ranging from 5 to 8 trillion cubic feet (tcf) with a gross mean of
7 tcf. Cyprus is expected to launch a second licensing round for the
remaining blocks of its exclusive economic zone.
"The improvement of the state finances, the correction of many
distortions in the public sector and the economy, and the great
interest for investments that is expressed today, convey a message that
the years to come will be years of economic prosperity," Christofias
said, adding that at the same time the government implements a series
of reforms, such as the educational reform, changes in the health
sector, greater support for cultural activities, the modernization
of the state, reforms that set the foundations for the kind of Cyprus
we all envision in the coming years.
"Today, we set the foundations for a better future for ourselves and
our children," he went on to say.
Furthermore the President noted that his thoughts today are with
the refugees, those in distress, the enclaved, the families of the
missing persons and those who fell in the line of duty.
"The message we send today is a message of hope and optimism. Our
people, through the efforts of all of us, prevent the worst from
happening, and set the foundations for the best to come. The Passion,
the ascend to Golgotha and the Crucifixion will be succeeded by the
Resurrection. We address a warm message of hope and fighting spirit
to the people of Cyprus as a whole, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots,
Maronites, Armenians and Latins. The Resurrection, the liberation
and the reunification of our homeland and our people will come for
all the people of Cyprus," he concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied
37 per cent of its territory.
Cyprus News Agency
April 13 2012
Nicosia, 13 April: The Greek Cypriot side is ready to continue the
negotiations for a settlement to the Cyprus problem, Cyprus President
Demetris [Dimitrios] Christofias has stressed, underlying that a
just, under the circumstances, viable and functional solution is more
necessary today than ever before.
In an Easter Message, the President said that the dilemma today is
not between the pursued goal of a solution based on a bi-zonal,
bi-communal federation and another abstract solution but between
a solution and partition. He noted however that we cannot accept
and cannot compromise with unacceptable arrangements, as we cannot
compromise with partition itself.
He also referred to the financial crisis which, in his words, raises
a number of serious problems for our state and our society, noting
however that the government addresses the economic crisis in a way
that will have the least possible repercussions on the average citizen.
"This year's Easter finds our homeland under semi-occupation for the
37th year, it finds it de facto divided, with the human rights and
basic freedoms of the Cypriot people still being violated by Turkey,
the occupying power," the President said in his message.
Pointing out that the current unacceptable situation creates immense
dangers for the future, Christofias added that "each day that passes
by solidifies the effort for the full Turkification of our occupied
territory."
"Time works against us. The continuing influx of settlers, apart from
the fact that it changes the demographic structure of the island,
harbours serious dangers for new adventurous actions by Turkey in the
future. The achievement of a just, under the circumstances, viable
and functional solution is more necessary today than ever before,"
he noted.
In his remarks, Christofias noted that the dilemma today is not
between the pursued goal of a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal
federation and another abstract solution. "The real dilemma today is
between a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality as
defined by the resolutions of the Security Council for one state,
with one and single sovereignty, citizenship and international
personality, and the partition which will be disastrous for our
people," he pointed out.
The President made clear that the Greek Cypriot side is "fully prepared
for a solution, but not just any "solution" that will ultimately
bring about new hardships for our people."
"We seek a dignified solution. A solution that will reunify our
country, our people, the institutions and the economy. We cannot
accept and cannot compromise with unacceptable arrangements, as we
cannot compromise with partition itself. This must be clear to Turkey
as well as to the Turkish Cypriot leadership and the international
community," he stressed.
Referring to the UN-backed negotiations which began in September
2008, Christofias said the stagnation observed in the talks should
not disappoint us neither lead us away from our goal.
"Our side is fully prepared to continue the process with the solution
of the Cyprus issue as the clear goal," he said adding that "the strong
support that Cyprus enjoys today from important countries-permanent
and non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, the European
Union and other countries and Organizations -is a decisive factor in
our efforts."
The Turkish Cypriot side insists that the UN-backed talks should be
terminated after the assumption of the EU rotating presidency by the
Republic of Cyprus on July 1. Christofias has repeatedly expressed his
readiness to continue the negotiations in parallel with the Cypriot
EU presidency.
Referring to the ongoing global financial crisis, Christofias noted
that the people of Cyprus, are going through an ordeal.
"Apart from the continuing occupation, the repercussions of the
unprecedented world economic crisis raise a number of serious problems
for our state and our society. We address the economic crisis in a
way that will have the least possible repercussions on the average
citizen," he said, noting that a simple comparison of Cyprus with
other European countries "proves that we tackle the consequences of the
world economic crisis with the maximum possible social sensitivity and
honest consideration for our youth, the working people, the unemployed,
the pensioners, the handicapped, the recipients of public assistance,
and in general our fellow citizens in need."
Noting that "the road to Golgotha leads to Resurrection," the
President said that the discovery of natural gas, the second round
of licensing and the investments in the field of energy, "create
an excellent prospect in the years to come for Cyprus to become
an energy centre with important positive changes in the economic,
political and social fields."
Initial results of a well carried out by Houston-based Noble Energy
in Cyprus block 12 indicated the existence of a natural gas reservoir
ranging from 5 to 8 trillion cubic feet (tcf) with a gross mean of
7 tcf. Cyprus is expected to launch a second licensing round for the
remaining blocks of its exclusive economic zone.
"The improvement of the state finances, the correction of many
distortions in the public sector and the economy, and the great
interest for investments that is expressed today, convey a message that
the years to come will be years of economic prosperity," Christofias
said, adding that at the same time the government implements a series
of reforms, such as the educational reform, changes in the health
sector, greater support for cultural activities, the modernization
of the state, reforms that set the foundations for the kind of Cyprus
we all envision in the coming years.
"Today, we set the foundations for a better future for ourselves and
our children," he went on to say.
Furthermore the President noted that his thoughts today are with
the refugees, those in distress, the enclaved, the families of the
missing persons and those who fell in the line of duty.
"The message we send today is a message of hope and optimism. Our
people, through the efforts of all of us, prevent the worst from
happening, and set the foundations for the best to come. The Passion,
the ascend to Golgotha and the Crucifixion will be succeeded by the
Resurrection. We address a warm message of hope and fighting spirit
to the people of Cyprus as a whole, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots,
Maronites, Armenians and Latins. The Resurrection, the liberation
and the reunification of our homeland and our people will come for
all the people of Cyprus," he concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied
37 per cent of its territory.