Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said he will request the US to exert influence on Turkey so that a settlement to the Cyprus problem would be reached.
Anastasiades is visiting the US in view of the UN General Assembly. He will be meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kery later this week.
“My message will be one. Exert influence on Turkey so that Cyprus could turn into a contemporary state but especially one of stability and peace, where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, Christian and Μuslims would live together,” Anastasiades said addressing an event organised by the Cypriot brotherhood in Chigaco for the 60th anniversary of the 1995-1959 liberation struggle against British colonial rule.
He said his efforts both through peaceful dialogue but also through fostering cooperation with the US and other UN Security Council permanent members but also with Israel and other states, aim at exerting pressure on Turkey to cooperate for a solution to the problem of Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.
Anastasiades pointed out that a solution hinges upon good will by Turkey, despite both his own good will and of new Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akkinci “who shares the same vision for a reunification of our country.”
He noted that the withdrawal of 40,000 occupying troops, the return of Turkish settlers, as well as the necessary territorial adjustments on Cyprus cannot be implemented without the necessary Turkish resolve.
Anastasiades stressed that a settlement should not leave behind winners and losers, noting “we aim to create the conditions for peaceful co-existence with our compatriots, with full respect to the human rights.”
The President recalled that he utilises the European Union participation to the talks so that all the issues agreed would comply with the EU acquis communautaire, Europe`s principles and values that are not different from those of the USA.
He however said that despite the progress from the ongoing talks, there are also problems.
Anastasiades warned that the Greek Cypriot side should weigh on the consequences in case the talks fail “due to our own mistakes”.
“Slogans are not enough. Slogans determine the aim and not the strategy to achieve this aim,” he added.
Concluding, Anastasiades said the danger for the turkification of our country is there, adding “our visions could turn in to nightmare in case a viable and functional solution is not reached due to our own mistakes.”
CNA/GS/TNE/2015
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY