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The President of the Republic referred to a series of actions and plans that are in the process of implementation, speaking at the feast of Saint Maron, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Graces, while at the same time he made specific references to the Cyprus problem and the discussion on the MEA.
He expressed his emotion for his presence at the church and reiterated that the reunification of our country on the basis of a just solution to the Cyprus issue remains the highest priority.
In addition, the President of the Republic referred to Ersin Tatar's statements regarding the MoU, stressing that we cannot talk about deception in a proposal that wants the implementation of the UN resolutions on Varosha, that wants to lift the alleged isolation of Turkish Cypriots by operating the Tympos airport under the UN administration, what deception can be contained in proposals involving the operation of the port of Famagusta or how compatible with international law it would be in return to allow Cypriot-flagged ships to approach Turkish ports or planes overflying Turkish airspace.
The President expanded and underlined his will and determination. "I am going through the last year of my administration and I want by every effort, by every means to see that the vision, as I prescribed in 2013, can still be realized."
This is the President's greeting:
"Brothers, fellow Maronites
It is with a truly special emotion that I stand among you, for another year, to celebrate together the important feast of St. Maron.
My presence is a practical proof of the high esteem and respect that I, as well as the entire State and the Cypriot people, have for the entire Maronite community.
Appreciation and respect deriving from the significant contribution and activity that you have developed during your long, historical presence on our island.
Undoubtedly, and despite the difficulties that you too were forced to endure as a result of the events of 1974, you managed not only to preserve your identity, but also, through your hard work, to progress and gain recognition during the refugee period.
As a dynamic and productive group of people, with a strong and active presence in the cultural, social and economic life of the country, but also with a rich activity in Letters, Arts and Sciences, you have contributed substantially to the development and prosperity of our common homeland.
At the same time, as part of the historical and social continuity of the country, reaffirming the fraternal ties between us, you have been at the forefront of the struggle we are all engaged in for the reunification of Cyprus.
Brothers Maronites,
It is for these very reasons that you enjoy, as I said before, universal appreciation and respect, as does every Cypriot citizen in our land, regardless of his or her religious and ethnic origin.
The interest and practical support of the State in your efforts for the protection and promotion of your cultural and religious heritage is a clear confirmation of this.
In close and excellent cooperation with your political and religious representatives, always within the financial possibilities of the State, we have supported a number of your long-standing requests that help in this direction.
It is within this close cooperation and on the basis of targeted actions and decisions that projects of the utmost importance have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented with regard to the preservation of religion and cultural heritage, the promotion of education, sport and other cultural and social activities, as well as the improvement of the living conditions of the internally displaced persons.
Among others, I mention:
- The contribution of about half a million euros for the creation of the Cultural Centre "The House of Maron";
- The allocation of 195 thousand euros as a sponsorship for the creation of sports facilities in Kormakitis. In December 2021, another 238 thousand euros have been approved for the completion and licensing of the project.
- The implementation, in the years 2018-2021 and I am not referring to the first five years of my presence nor to the interest of the previous Governments in the Maronite community of a number of utility projects, both in the free and occupied areas, which aimed at upgrading school facilities, flood protection and landscaping works, improvement and extension of the road network, infrastructure development, as well as financial support for Maronite sports clubs, totalling 400 thousand euros.
- The completion of the Repair Plan for the Houses of the Stranded, for Maronites and Greek Cypriots. Just recently the Council of Ministers has approved significant new expenditure to assist in the resettlement to ancestral homes of those of our young Maronites or other, currently Maronites, to enhance resettlement.
- The placement of nursing staff in an occupied Maronite village to ensure better living conditions for stranded Maronites.
- The actions to reopen the School in Kormakitis.
- At the same time, in addition to the annual state grant received by the Maronite Archdiocese of 50 thousand euros, the Council of Ministers approved that the agreement on tax issues between the State and the Church of Cyprus be applied to the Maronite, Armenian and Latin Churches in Cyprus.
What I want to assure you of is that taking into account the suggestions of your political and religious representatives and first and foremost your sensitivities, we will continue, I assure you, to support whatever just demands you submit.
I would like to make special reference to the paramount restoration of ancient Maronite Churches, as well as the repair and conservation of other historical monuments of the Community in the occupied territories, which we have achieved through the Bicommunal Committee for Cultural Heritage, always in cooperation with the Maronite Religious Leadership, within the framework of the Development Programme adopted by the UN.
Thanks to this cooperation, churches such as St. George in Kormakitis, Holy Cross in Karpasia, St. Anna in Medieval Famagusta, St. Marina in Agia Marina, St. Theodoros and St. Marina in Kormakitis, Archangel Michael in Asomatos have been restored.
It is important to mention that within the framework of this programme the restoration of 50 ancient monuments has been completed. I have merely made reference to part of what we are trying to restore in order to preserve historical memory, to preserve and enhance and highlight the roots that you have with Cyprus, your homeland, to which you have contributed through your actions.
I fully understand and share your anxiety about the developments regarding the Cyprus issue as well as your just demand to return to your ancestral homes and recover your properties.
It is the same demand that keeps your Greek Cypriot brothers and sisters in agony.
To this end, I want to assure you, once again, that the highest priority remains the reunification of our homeland on the basis of a just solution to the Cyprus question. A solution that will make our country a true and independent state. A state of peace, prosperity and security for all regardless of its citizens, which reunites our homeland, freeing it from any troops, occupying or otherwise, from invasive rights or dependencies from third countries.
In this context, it is clear that any solution must be fully compatible with the Resolutions, the occasional Resolutions of the United Nations and the Security Council, as well as the principles and values of the European Union.
In this context, it is clear that any solution must be fully compatible with the Resolutions, the occasional Resolutions of the United Nations and the Security Council, as well as the principles and values of the European Union.
It is precisely this political will and will that I convey in every direction at every international forum, underlining our strong determination and will to work to give a sense of security to all the Cypriot people, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Latins and Armenians.
In every way we want to pass the message that Cyprus is no less European than the rest of the European countries where there is a multicultural presence, and as is the case in Cyprus, the human rights of every Cypriot citizen are guaranteed indiscriminately. We have so far made significant progress in demonstrating our determination and our sincere will to ensure that there is no feeling of insecurity among either Turkish Cypriots or Greek Cypriots. We have accepted devolution of powers to make them feel secure that no one will interfere in what may concern them in their daily lives.
We have accepted political equality under conditions, however, that will not allow either community to dominate the other.
Through the talks we have come to a conclusion on the composition and functioning of the legislature, the judiciary, the composition of the executive. What remained was the safeguarding of the Greek Cypriots as well. The feeling that they will not be under the influence of a third country.
And I want to take this opportunity to say that I don't see why Turkey should insist, a country with so much territory, on maintaining the occupation on a small island, on a small state. It is in Turkey's interest, through a solution to the Cyprus problem that is fully compatible with international law and the European acquis, for the benefit of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, but also for Turkey itself, to normalize its relations with Europe, to create the conditions for the exploitation of natural wealth and to give the opportunity for peace to prevail in the entire region.
The example of Cyprus, the Republic of Cyprus, which has excellent relations with all the neighbouring states, which has peacefully settled the issues concerning the Exclusive Economic Zone, can serve as an example and an indication of what it means to finally solve the Cyprus problem peacefully.
This is why I appeal to the Turkish Cypriot leader, but especially to those who are currently in power in Turkey, to stop their unilateral, illegal actions, to stop intervening in the EEZ of Cyprus, to stop intervening in Famagusta, to stop violating the ceasefire line, to finally respect what they are supposedly seeking, to stop having aspirations to usurp Greek Cypriot property or Maronite property.
What I want to send as a message, and it was a proposal that we have revived and are taking in every direction, to the US, to the UN, to the EU, is essentially Confidence Building Measures. They are not done to deceive, as Mr Tatar claims. What is the deception, really, in a proposal that wants the implementation of the UN resolutions on Varosha, that wants to lift the alleged isolation of Turkish Cypriots by operating the Tympos airport under UN administration, what deception can be contained in proposals involving the operation of the port of Famagusta or how compatible with international law it would be in return to allow Cypriot-flagged ships to approach Turkish ports or planes overflying Turkish airspace.
I have said repeatedly that the solution of the Cyprus problem will contribute significantly to the reassessment of the whole energy programme so that Turkey's aspirations or plans and visions to have a say and a role in terms of possible transit or participation in the processes for the exploitation of natural wealth are not disregarded. As long as the international law of the sea is respected, as long as the EEZ of neighbouring states is respected. I am in the last year of my administration and I want to see, with every effort, by every means, that the vision I set out in 2013 can still be realised.
I wish everyone all the best. I wish next year we are reunited to celebrate the feast of St. Maron. Happy Birthday to you all."
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