Cyprus proposals
NICOSIA – President Demetris Christofias has stressed if the Turkish side accepts the proposals he had submitted last month on the Cyprus issue, this would give an impetus to the ongoing UN – led Cyprus negotiations.
Addressing Saturday evening an anti-occupation event organised by the Famagusta Municipality to mark 36 years since the illegal seizure and occupation of the town of Famagusta by the Turkish military, he said that the proposals he submitted last month on the Cyprus issue are welcomed by the international community, but noted that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side have so far not responded positively to those proposals.
One of the proposals, he said, urges Turkey to apply UN Security Council resolution 550, which calls for the transfer of the fenced off area of Varosha, in Famagusta, to the administration of the United Nations.
Our goal, he went on to add, is to restore the ghost – town and return it to its legitimate inhabitants, while expressing the willingness to undertake the responsibility for the restoration of the old town of Famagusta which constitutes a common cultural heritage for both communities of Cyprus.
President Christofias said that part of this proposal is the opening of the port of Famagusta under EU auspices for trade on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots.
“Such a development would bring benefits to the Turkish Cypriot side which will be using the port of Famagusta. Turkey will also benefit since this would give an impetus to its EU accession course and negotiation chapters, which now remain frozen will open,” he pointed out.
He reiterated that the second proposal suggests the linking of the discussion of three of the chapters of the Cyprus problem, those dealing with property, territory and immigration, for easing the resolution of the thorny chapter of properties and for expediting the dialogue.
The third proposal, he continued, is to convene an international conference when within range of an agreement on the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem. The conference must be convened by the UN with the participation of the five permanent states of the UN Security Council, the EU, the three guarantor powers (Greece, Turkey, and UK), the Republic of Cyprus and the two Cypriot communities.
The Cypriot President noted that the international conference would only deal with the international aspect of the Cyprus problem, concerning guarantees, security issues, the withdrawal of troops and settlers.
“We believe that our proposals bring us one step ahead and they are already welcomed positively by the international community”, he said, noting that those proposals could become the basis for unity among the domestic front.
Unfortunately, he said, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side have not responded positively to those proposals and noted that despite the fact that Ankara continues to declare that it wants and solution as soon as possible, its actions prove the opposite.
Turkey’s strategy, he pointed out, is to begin a blame – game, noting that the Greek Cypriot side’s respond to this policy is the initiatives it is undertaking, because “we want an impetus to be given to the talks that will soon lead to an overall solution of the Cyprus problem”.
President Christofias noted that if the package of proposals was accepted, this would change the climate at the negotiations and lead to results which will be positive both for the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey as well as for the Greek Cypriots.
He stressed that the compromise for a federal, bicommunal, bizonal solution in Cyprus is the way to prevent the division of the island and the creation of two separate states.
The United Federal Republic of Cyprus, he went on to add, will be a state with one and only sovereignty, citizenship, international personality, in the framework of which all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all will be safeguarded.
Referring to the UN – led Cyprus talks, he said that the Greek Cypriot side has been submitting at the negotiating table proposals, which are fully in line with the agreed framework for a Cyprus solution.
The Greek Cypriot side, he said, follows a constructive policy at the negotiations and will continue to work for the achievement of a solution.
Reiterating his call for unity at the domestic front, he said that unity is needed especially this difficult time when Turkey attempts to cover its lack of action and blame the Greek Cypriot side for the non - achievement of a solution.
The President said that despite the problems faced at the negotiations, and despite the fact that the progress achieved so far is in danger to collapse, he will continue the negotiation for solving the Cyprus problem.
He also expressed his gratitude for the initiatives undertaken by the Mayor and the Municipal Council of Famagusta for the enlightenment of the international community regarding the issue of Famagusta and the Cyprus problem in general.
He reassured the people of Famagusta that he would continue promoting the issue of Famagusta in all possible fora.
Since the Turkish invasion of 1974, he said, Cyprus is no longer the same and Famagusta, silently stands there to remind us those days of destruction”.
“We gathered tonight here to renew our commitment to continue our struggle for the final vindication that will be achieved only by solving the Cyprus problem, ending the occupation of our country, ending the illegal influx of Turkish settlers and reunifying our country, our people, our economy, our institutions”, he concluded.
http://www.cyprusweekly.com.cy/main/92, ... 1089-.aspx
