http://www.cna.org.cy/website/english/a ... 2.asp?id=1
President Demetris Christofias has expressed satisfaction with the unanimous joint communique issued at the end of Friday’s meeting of the National Council, the top advisory body to the President of the Republic on the handling of the Cyprus question.
President Christofias stressed that Turkey must get a message from the EU and Cyprus must send messages to the Union on how it should handle Turkey, if this country, until its evaluation by the Union, continues behaving in the manner it has been behaving up until now.
Referring to the start of the second round of UN-led talks to reunite the island, divided since 1974 Turkish invasion, he said it was “difficult” but necessary and added that political parties in Cyprus would support him in this difficult effort.
Speaking at Larnaka airport prior to his departure for New York, via London, he said that “after four days of deliberations at the National Council and exchange of views, I think I cannot but be pleased with the unanimous statement which was issued Friday”.
“Beyond that, it is normal for the parties to have their own views and reservations”, he pointed out.
President Christofias called for unity on the domestic front, warning that developments in the Cyprus question are not simple and should not be simplified in connection with Turkey’s course to the EU and Ankara’s stance, which unfortunately, as he pointed out, does not allow for optimism.
On the contrary, he added, “Turkey must receive messages from the EU and we must send messages to the EU on how it should deal with Turkey, if, until its evaluation, Ankara continues to behave in the manner it behaves up until now”.
Moreover, President Christofias noted that in his address before the United Nations General Assembly next week, in New York, he would refer to the efforts to solve Cyprus problem as well as to the obstacles raised towards achieving this goal.
Christofias said that on the sidelines of the General Assembly he would have the opportunity to meet heads of state and governments while the Foreign Minister would also meet many of his counterparts.
He added that in his address to the General Assembly he would talk about the issues on the UN agenda but also on the Cyprus question and efforts to reach a solution as well as the obstacles he faces.
In New York, President Christofias will meet Cypriots living in the US at a special event and Archbishop Demetrios of America.
After New York, President Christofias and his entourage will fly to Cuba on a two day official visit, during which he will open the Republic’s embassy there.
Christofias will first visit London on the occasion of celebrations for the Cypriot Community Center.
He is due to return to Cyprus on September 30.