Statements by the President of the Republic of Cyprus on the Cyprus problem

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, stated that based on the information he has received, developments will soon occur as regards the resumption of talks.

In his statements to the journalists, upon arrival at the event in Memory and Honour of Missing Persons, in Kornos, the President of the Republic of Cyprus stated: “It is a difficult day tomorrow, it is a difficult day for all of us. Missing persons regard the most dire aspect of the continuing occupation.

At the same time, if we really want to honour the memory of the people who sacrificed their lives so that we are in existence today, so that the Republic of Cyprus exists, so that institutions exist, we must do everything in our power, in spite of the difficulties, which I am aware of, for the resumption of the dialogue. I expect, based on the information I have, that soon developments will occur towards this direction. I aspire that these developments will lead to the substantive resumption of the talks.”

Asked if he watched the video released today by the Turkish forces, the President of the Republic of Cyprus replied: “I watched the video. I saw many testimonies from people who fled their homes. Yesterday, I had a meeting with the descendants of missing persons, most of whom are my age. I will repeat that it is a difficult day tomorrow, but the most important thing is that we all derive the important messages, if we really want to honour the memory of these people.”

When asked as to whether he expects the European Union (EU) to be included in the process of the negotiations in the case of the resumption of the talks, President Christodoulides stated: “The EU is part of the solution to the Cyprus problem. The Republic of Cyprus is an EU member state and will continue to be even after a potential solution to the Cyprus problem. I truly believe and anticipate, based on my experience in the negotiating process, that as regards to these matters where there is a variation of views between the two sides, there can be a solution. And this solution emerges from the EU itself.”

When asked to comment on statements from the Turkish side such as “we will turn up in the night” and if he is worried for the development of a new impasse, the President of the Republic stated: “Time lags in general are creating new faits accomplis, making negotiations more dire, brushing away the prospect of resolving the Cyprus problem, as we are all well aware. At the same time, the status quo cannot be the future of this country and it is for this reason that we are doing everything in our power to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem”.

(MS/AS)

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