Turkey must reconcile with the idea that the Cyprus settlement must be based on international and European law, House President Yiannakis Omirou has said.
Speaking Sunday at the memorial of hero of the Republic Nikos Christos Solomou, in the Pafos district, Omirou said that the fact that the Turkish Cypriots have a new leader, Mustafa Akinci, is a positive development, given his positions on the Cyprus issue.
But he said that in reality, it is Ankara who holds the key to the solution of the Cyprus problem.
It is imperative, Omirou said, that the solution is based on the international and European law.
He added that the Cyprus issue is a problem of invasion and occupation of an independent state, Cyprus, by an other state, Turkey. Whoever, he said, is truly interested in reaching a just and viable solution in Cyprus, must exert pressure on the occupation force, which is Ankara.
The House President said that Turkey must abandon its imperialistic behavior and reconcile with a Cyprus settlement based on the principles of international and European law.
The solution, he said, must not put in danger the survival of the Cypriot Hellenism or the smooth coexistence of its legitimate inhabitants, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, in a free and democratic state.
Referring to the ongoing Cyprus talks, the House President said that it is necessary to hold a parallel discussion on various issues regarding the Cyprus issue.
Apart from the constitutional aspect, he said, it is necessary to discuss at the Cyprus talks, the issue regarding the withdrawal of troops and settlers, the territory issue, the return of refugees and the abolition of the anachronistic guarantees of 1960.
The Republic of Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish invasion against the island in 1974. UN – led talks to reunite this Mediterranean EU state resumed in May.
CNA/AAR/TNE/2015
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY