The Ukrainian crisis created the right conditions for initiatives to be taken, by the European Union, the United Nations and the United States to resolve issues such as the Cyprus problem, the President of the Republic said during his visit to the "Sotos Hadjiprokopiou" camp in Cheri.
In his statements after his visit to the "Sotos Hadjiprokopiou" camp in Cheri, he revealed that Turkey has indicated that it is not expected to take any initiative on the Cyprus problem until the presidential elections are held.
"The Ukrainian crisis offers an opportunity for the Europeans, the Americans and the United Nations to create conditions so that outstanding problems related to the causes of the Ukrainian war can be resolved," the President of the Republic said.
The European Union, he noted, is calling for alternative sources of energy, which are offered in the Eastern Mediterranean, saying that these are either from Israeli, Egyptian and Cypriot deposits and not only since, he added, pipelines can help to have from the Arabian Gulf countries as well.
"So this is an opportunity if Mr. Erdogan means what he said, for the sake of impressions and I hope to be proven wrong, to take initiatives," he said.
And he continued by stating "It was my intention, before the war, in addition to the MOU, to propose an initiative on the part of the European Union. Now it is even more urgent that an initiative be taken on the part of the European Union, the United Nations and the United States, so that:
First, the exclusive economic exploitation zone (EEZ) between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey should be demarcated
Second, the illegal and illegal actions that constitute a challenge should be articulated and
Third, there are the United Nations parameters that provide the formula for a solution. Not the one put forward by Turkey of two separate states but of a bizonal bicommunal federation. As long as the conditions are such that they allow for the functionality of the state, the independence from guarantees and therefore the dependence on the influence of third countries."
He pointed out that we do not want to experience conditions in Bosnia-Herzegovina or Lebanon, where similar arrangements to those sought have resulted in two non-functional and essentially dead states. "For the benefit of all, a solution to the Cyprus problem on the principles of the United Nations and the European Union. If Turkey realizes this, many of the problems will be solved."
Asked if there are positive signs from Turkey, the President replied "unfortunately, no. On the contrary, what has been conveyed to us, despite what the President of Turkey said yesterday, is that until the Turkish elections there is no intention on their part to take any initiative to resolve the Cyprus problem."
In response to a journalist's remark about Turkey's attack of friendship towards countries such as Israel, Egypt, Arab Gulf countries and its attempt to pass pipelines through occupied territories, and asked if we have assurances that these plans will not be implemented, the President said that "the trilateral partnerships that we have developed here precisely show the extent of a proper foreign policy which prevents similar phenomena.
Any improvement in relations with either Israel or Egypt, if and when achieved, will prevent unilateral actions against the Republic of Cyprus. And this is very important."
Asked whether the issue of the initiative he referred to in relation to the EU will be raised at the upcoming European Council, the President said that "I had it in mind for the March Council, where it was on the agenda, but after the events the priorities were unfortunately reversed. However, I have informed both the President of the European Council, Mr Charles Michel, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Mr Josep Borel, and the President of the European Commission, Ms Ursula von der Leyen, as well as Ms Newland during her recent visit to the Republic of Cyprus".
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