Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has assured that his government and himself will continue to work tirelessly to realise the common vision of people of Cyprus for a viable, lasting and functional solution to the Cyprus problem.
In his address at an event held on Wednesday at the Presidential Palace to mark the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations, President Anastasiades noted that “despite the criticism that has been exercised upon it during its 70 year-old history, the UN remains the undisputed reference point in the firmament of international relations”.
“Peace, conflict prevention and peace-building are some of the key UN action pillars. The UN has managed to prevent another world war and mediated to end over 170 conflicts in the world,” he said.
“Yet at the same time several armed conflicts in the world attest the fact that global peace is still a vision that has not been achieved,” he added.
“We do not forget that the struggle of the Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, is based on and legitimised by numerous resolutions of the United Nations and UN Security Council decisions which condemn the unacceptable status quo and the violence continuing partition of Cyprus calling for its reunification and the withdrawal of occupying forces. Resolutions and decisions which unfortunately are not yet implemented,” he stressed.
On this occasion, he continued, “I want to reiterate that the Government and me personally will continue with courage to work tirelessly to realise the common vision of our people, who want a solution to the Cyprus problem through a viable, lasting and functional solution.”
A solution, President Anastasiades said, “that will lead to the transformation of the Republic of Cyprus into a federal state in a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, one sovereignty, one international personality and citizenship.A state which is and will continue to be a member of the UN, the EU and many other international organisations, whose sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order will not be constrained by obsolete systems of guarantees from third countries and the presence of foreign troops on the island. In this effort we look forward to UN`s active support.”
In his speech, President of the UN Association of Cyprus and Vice President of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) since 21/11/2015, Dr. Christos Theodoulou stressed that “even though a third world war did not take place since 1945, the situation in the world is not so peaceful and encouraging”.
“Here in Cyprus we do what we can for the solution of our problem; Foreign powers, by theirs actions, must not however prevent us from moving forward”, he concluded.
The Republic of Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. UN-led talks, aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof, resumed in May.
CNA/GMI/EPH/2015
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY