The House of Representatives has appealed once more to the international community to exert pressure on Turkey so that a just and functional solution of the Cyprus problem is found.
The Cypriot Parliament`s appeal came on the 11th anniversary of the referendum for the UN – backed Annan plan which was rejected by the overwhelming majority of the Greek Cypriot community but accepted by the Turkish Cypriots on the 24th of April 2004.
Acting President of the House Sophoclis Fittis said that the rejection of the Annan plan by the Greek Cypriots was not a rejection of the solution, instead it demonstrated the will of the people for a just and viable resolution of the problem, based on decisions by the UN and other international and European organisationd, the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979 and the fundamental principles and values of the EU, which provide for a bizonal bicommunal federation.
Fittis said that eleven years after the referendum, Turkey`s stance remains intransigent despite the pressure of the international community so that Ankara complies with international law.
The people of Cyprus, he added, is still experiencing the tragic consequences of the Turkish invasion and subsequent occupation of 37% of Cyprus` territory.
“We appeal once again to the international community to intensify its pressure on Turkey so that a just and functional solution of the Cyprus problem is found soon”, he stressed.
At today`s session the House of Representatives also paid tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
Fittis recalled that a delegation of the House headed by its President Yiannakis Omirou is currently in Armenia to attend the commemoration events organized by the government of Armenia on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
“We condemn once more the Armenian Genocide and we pay tribute to the victims of this terrible crime. We express our solidarity to the friendly people of Armenia” he said.
The House held a minute`s silence in memory of the victims.
The Annan plan, a UN proposed solution plan, was put before the two communities in separate referenda in 2004. It was rejected by 76% of Greek Cypriots, while the Turkish Cypriots approved it with 65%.
The Republic of Cyprus, a full EU member state since 2004, is divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974. Since then, Turkish troops occupy 37% of this Mediterranean island`s territory.
CNA/AAR/MM/2015
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY