Cyprus-Forum.com

[insan]

Karamanlis addresses House of Representatives

24.APR.09
Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has called on Ankara to realise that the determination of the Republic of Cyprus to exercise its sovereign rights and its capacity as a member of the European Union will act as catalysts towards an agreed solution to the Cyprus issue.

Addressing the Cyprus House of Representatives, Karamanlis, who is paying a two-day official visit to the island, insisted that the Cyprus issue remains a top priority in his government’s foreign policy.

Welcoming Karamanlis, House President Marios Garoyian said Cypriots will continue the struggle for a solution of the division of the island “supported by the solidarity and encouragement of Greece, its leadership and parties as well as its people."

He also said that the key to a solution lies with Ankara and for this reason “we should maximise the cost for Ankara’s continued intransigent positions."

In his speech, Karamanlis said: “my government will continue to fully back the efforts of President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias to find, together with the Turkish Cypriots, an agreed solution to the Cyprus problem."

He said that the improvement of Greco-Turkish relations lies in the solution of the Cyprus problem.

The continued cooperation and coordination of both governments, added Karamanlis, “guarantee the effectiveness of our policy and are a determining factor in efforts for an overall settlement of the problem."

He said the goal of the negotiations and a fundamental precondition for a mutually agreed solution is the evolvement of the Cypriot state into a bizonal, bicommual federation, with effective participation of both communities in its administration, a federation with a single sovereignty, one personality and one identity as defined by UN decisions.

“The peaceful struggle to end the Turkish occupation and to solve the Cyprus issue...is long-term and does not allow illusions that the solution will be easy or effortless. However, the other side should not maintain illusions either," he said, adding that “arrogance is a very bad adviser."

“It is high time for Ankara to realise that the tried patience of the Republic of Cyprus, its determination to exercise its sovereign rights, its capacity as EU member state are parameters of great and catalytic significance towards the framework and contents of an agreed solution to the Cyprus issue."

Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side’s insistence on statements which are contrary to UN decisions are futile and unacceptable, he stressed.

And this, he pointed out, because the UN Security Council has condemned the declaration of the illegal regime in the Turkish occupied north part of Cyprus and all illegal Turkish secessionist actions and has called on its member states not to recognise or offer it any assistance.

He also said that Ankara ought to fulfill the obligations it has undertaken with the Additional Protocol and normalise its bilateral relations with Nicosia. Turkey does not recognise the government of the Republic of Cyprus.

However, Karamanlis said that despite its rhetoric of support to the negotiating process, Turkish policy towards Cyprus remains unchanged, divisive and intimidating.

The two communities, he added, will only be able to proceed to a solution if Ankara allows the Turkish Cypriot leadership and encourage it to proceed with good will and flexibility.

Karamanlis concluded by saying that the Hellenic Republic remains a stable ally of the Republic of Cyprus and its people and “we will handle together every provocation”.

In his speech, Garoyian said that Greece and Cyprus are facing many challenges and should coordinate their strategy and tactics to defend in the most effective manner, national rights and interests and to have an upgraded role in European and international issues.

Garoyian underlined the significance of cooperation between the House and the Hellenic Parliament at international fora and said the two bodies are examining a schedule of joint visits to various countries, including member states of the Organisation of Islamic Conference.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Garoyian said that it is a problem of “invasion, occupation, violation of international law principles, violation of human rights and violation of the independence and sovereignty of a UN member state”.

“Unfortunately Turkey, primarily, and other members of the international community, avoid addressing the real nature and substance of the issue and are comfortable in presenting the Cyprus issue as a bicommunal problem. In this manner”, he added, Turkey is absolved of any guilt, becomes disrespectful and remains intransigent and uncooperative in finding a functional, fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

Garoyian said that the Greek Cypriot side is pursuing a solution which will end the occupation and Turkey’s policy of illegal settlement of the occupied areas. The solution, he said, must reunite the territory, the people, the economy and the institutions and restore the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the whole of the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins, a solution that will exclude foreign intervention and provide security for the people and the state of Cyprus.

“We are ready for an honorable and fair compromise”, he said, adding that “we will not accept illegitimate solutions and an end to the problem of Cyprus that will not yield justice and end the occupation nor will we accept a solution ensuing from virgin birth of state which will grant Turkey guarantor and intervention rights”, he underlined.

Garoyian also said that “many times we have said the key to a solution lies with Ankara. We should therefore maximise the cost of Ankara’s continued intransigent positions”.

If Turkey, he added, does not fulfill the obligations and commitments that it has undertaken towards the EU and its member states, including the Republic of Cyprus, its accession course will not have a prospect. Turkey should proceed with the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus and normalise its relations (with Cyprus) and fulfill its commitments based on the Additional Protocol”.

Turkey should not invest in concessions on our part, he added.

Garoyian also recalled that tomorrow, 24th April, marks the fifth anniversary of the Annan Plan referendum, when the people of Cyprus defended their rights and rejected the UN-proposed plan.

“Let the powerful countries of the world know that no matter how powerful Turkey is, we shall not accept a solution that is based on its conditions and pursuits”, he concluded.

The special session of the House plenum was attended by President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, the Cabinet, political party leaders as well as the island’s military leadership and diplomats.

- (KYPE)

[insan]

In his speech, Garoyian said that Greece and Cyprus are facing many challenges and should coordinate their strategy and tactics to defend in the most effective manner, national rights and interests and to have an upgraded role in European and international issues.

This is for Kifeas who claimed that Greece is too stupid to have interests on Cyprus.

[Oracle]

No ... I think he said you are too stupid to have any interest in Cyprus!

[insan]

No ... I think he said you are too stupid to have any interest in Cyprus!

Berserker Nanny made nonsense on behalf of Kifeas. Satisfied?

[Byron]

So much for the pure "Cypriots" trying to defy Hellenism ! Greece continues to be at the side of all Greek Cypriots just like the fact that Turkey does to its Turkish Cypriot counterparts.

[The Cypriot]

So much for the pure "Cypriots" trying to defy Hellenism ! Greece continues to be at the side of all Greek Cypriots just like the fact that Turkey does to its Turkish Cypriot counterparts.

My mini-"Byron" with the impure, under-developed brain not yet able to appreciate what the pure Cypriots are trying to do. Free your mind if freedom is indeed your goal.

We don't want Greece – and the rest of our EU partners – to be at the side of one community of Cypriots. We want Greece – and the rest of our EU partners – to be at the side of all the island's legitimate citizens so they can be free of foreign oppression. Which is what Greece et al are doing.

And if you can't see the difference and you continue to equate the role of Greece with Turkey in Cyprus, then you insult the memory of Hellenism, as a transcendent philosophy and democratic ideal which Byron aspired to.

Now run a long little boy and play with your toy soldiers.

[halil]

The Association of Promoting The TRNC and Making It Live, has criticized the Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis for the statement he made at the Greek Cypriot Parliament that in Cyprus it is unacceptable to have two separate states and two separate peoples, and that this was unnecessary.
In a written statement the President of the Association Huseyin Ozguven criticized the Greek Cypriot leader for his statement at the Greek Cypriot parliament.

Reminding that Turkish people existed in Cyprus since 1570, Mr. Ozguven said ‘in 1974 with the Turkish Peace Operation and with the declaration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriot people had official shown the whole world that they exist.

Noting that peace and two equal sovereign communities exist in Cyprus, Mr. Ozguven said ‘if Mr. Karamanlis doesn’t want Turkey to interfere in the Cyprus issue then how come he thinks that he has a right to get involved in the issue, he asked’.

Explaining that Turkey had provided the real solution on the island, Ozguven called on the Greek Prime Minister to accept the fact that there are two separate governments, two separate sovereign peoples with two independent states on the island.

[The Cypriot]

The Association of Promoting The TRNC and Making It Live, has criticized the Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis for the statement he made at the Greek Cypriot Parliament that in Cyprus it is unacceptable to have two separate states and two separate peoples, and that this was unnecessary.

Why don't they issue a statement criticising the US, UK, UN and EU too? Because they say exactly the same.

Reminding that Turkish people existed in Cyprus

As if we'd ever be allowed to forget....

since 1570,

Turkey didn't even exist as a nation in 1570, so he's got that wrong

Mr. Ozguven said ‘in 1974 with the Turkish Peace Operation and with the declaration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriot people had official shown the whole world that they exist.

But the world doesn't recognise the 'TRNC'... so what was the point of that?

Noting that peace and two equal sovereign communities exist in Cyprus,

What about all the others?

Mr. Ozguven said ‘if Mr. Karamanlis doesn’t want Turkey to interfere in the Cyprus issue then how come he thinks that he has a right to get involved in the issue, he asked’.

Greece is an EU partner of Cyprus, she has every right to be involved, as does Britain, France and all its other partners. They will continue to be involved until Turkey isn't; until Cyprus is free from interference. Which admittedly may be a long time. After all, Turkey's been involved since 1570, before she even existed.

Explaining that Turkey had provided the real solution on the island,

According to Turkey but not according to the vast majority of the island's population. Don't you think their views matter more than Turkey's?

Ozguven called on the Greek Prime Minister to accept the fact that there are two separate governments, two separate sovereign peoples with two independent states on the island.

I call on Ozguven to accept the fact that no one but Turkey will every accept this.

Why reproduce this provocative nonsense here, halil? What are you trying to achieve? What are you trying to prove?

Are you planning on reproducing this nonsense in another decade? Two decades? Or do you want things to change? Because things will only change if you change.

[Byron]

So much for the pure "Cypriots" trying to defy Hellenism ! Greece continues to be at the side of all Greek Cypriots just like the fact that Turkey does to its Turkish Cypriot counterparts.

My mini-"Byron" with the impure, under-developed brain not yet able to appreciate what the pure Cypriots are trying to do. Free your mind if freedom is indeed your goal.

We don't want Greece – and the rest of our EU partners – to be at the side of one community of Cypriots. We want Greece – and the rest of our EU partners – to be at the side of all the island's legitimate citizens so they can be free of foreign oppression. Which is what Greece et al are doing.

And if you can't see the difference and you continue to equate the role of Greece with Turkey in Cyprus, then you insult the memory of Hellenism, as a transcendent philosophy and democratic ideal which Byron aspired to.

Now run a long little boy and play with your toy soldiers.

You have a small understanding of politics " Chipriota" ;
By standing on the side of the Greek Cypriots, Greece automatically stands on the side of the Turkish Cypriots because the ultimate goal of Greece is to restore a unified Cyprus. If the Cypriot government thought otherwise it would not have invited Karamanlis to speak in the Cypriot Parliament. Now you run a long and play with your play station you old boy !

[The Cypriot]

So much for the pure "Cypriots" trying to defy Hellenism ! Greece continues to be at the side of all Greek Cypriots just like the fact that Turkey does to its Turkish Cypriot counterparts.

By standing on the side of the Greek Cypriots, Greece automatically stands on the side of the Turkish Cypriots

Make up your mind, Byron. Who is standing on the side of the Turkish Cypriots? Greece or Turkey?

The question is rhetorical so no need to answer.