The only viable solution to the Cyprus problem is one that supports the principles established by the UN, stressed the Speaker of the Irish House of Representatives Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who is on an official visit to Cyprus.
Addressing the House of Representatives, he referred to the Irish contingent in UNFICYP and said that since 1964 over 10,000 Irish soldiers and police officers have served in UNFICYP. Our support for UNFICYP, he said, is the clearest possible signal of Ireland's desire and support for a political solution to the Cyprus problem.
He stressed that through participation in the Security Council, Ireland has repeatedly underlined its commitment to the unification of Cyprus based on the UN framework and the principles of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality and an honourable, balanced and lasting settlement that safeguards the basic rights of all Cypriots.
He noted that as the mandate for the UN mission will be renewed in a few weeks, Ireland will recommit to these principles, stressing that this is the only valid way forward.
I want to make it clear that this is the only valid way forward and that threats in this context or violations of Security Council resolutions, including unilateral actions to change the status of any part of the Barossa from demilitarised to civilian can be seen as a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. The only viable solution is one that upholds the principles established by the UN, he said.
The Speaker of the Irish Parliament, who also visited the Commission of Inquiry on Missing Persons, said his country understood the drama of this humanitarian problem and said Ireland hoped that renewed efforts to initiate dialogue would overcome the legacy of mistrust and that progress could be made towards a solution between the two communities.
He spoke of an initiative between his country and the Commission and said specifically that the Irish Commissioner of the National Police Service had approved a new training programme for the Commission's investigative staff saying that this training would be provided by Irish police officers with the support of the National Police Training Centre (Irish Guarda College). We are pleased, he said, to assist in strengthening the Commission's capacity to pursue investigations which, he said, should help to heal the deep At this point he spoke of the pain of many families in Ireland who have experienced similar drama.
The Irish official referred to the war in Ukraine, saying that Europe's security was under threat, adding that Ireland and Cyprus along with many other countries would be weakened if international law failed in Ukraine or if there was a failure of accountability.
Our security and the security of our people are at stake in the outcome of this war, he added and went on to say that for small countries like Ireland and Cyprus the rule of international law is there to protect us and we cannot allow it to fail.
Referring to migration, he said that both countries are destination countries for migrants and that this can prove to be a big challenge but he welcomed the agreement reached between the EU and Cyprus which will allow the EU to provide financial and operational support to Cyprus for a fair and effective migration management system.
The Irish official also spoke about bilateral relations and especially cooperation in many areas such as culture, education, investment in transport and shipping.
Our friendship is deep and I am sure it will continue in the future, he said.
He referred to Brexit and thanked Cyprus for its solidarity in protecting the Good Friday peace agreement.
It is noted that starting his address, he also spoke in Greek, saying it is an honour to represent the Parliament of my country by further promoting the friendship between Cyprus and Ireland.
Finally, he expressed his and his country's condolences on the loss of Zeta Aimylianidou and referred to her important work.
Welcoming the Irish official, Speaker of the House of Representatives Anita Demetriou expressed her sincere thanks for Ireland's principled stand and firm support, particularly in the UN Security Council, of which Ireland is a non-permanent member for the years 2021-2022, as well as within the EU in the struggle to achieve a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.
We are also deeply grateful for your country's significant contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force since its first deployment in 1964. I would like to pay tribute from the floor of the Plenary to the Irish Canadians who served from 1964 to 2005, as well as to those currently serving in the UNFICYP Police Department, he said.
He also expressed Cyprus' deep appreciation for Ireland's significant contribution to the work of the Missing Persons' Committee.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, she said we remain committed to the objective of resuming talks within UN parameters but noted that the Turkish side insists on a "two-state solution", "separate sovereignty" and "equal international status" as preconditions for engaging in dialogue. Such unacceptable claims will never be accepted and have been explicitly rejected by the international community, he said.
At the same time, Turkey is seeking to create new fait accompli by deploying pirate raids in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus, proceeding with the gradual opening of the enclosed Famagusta area for economic exploitation in violation of Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789, as well as further militarization of the occupied areas with modern military equipment, radars and drones, he stressed.
Such actions, she said. Demetriou, only serve Turkey at the expense of Cyprus and its people, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, who feel Turkey's long arm increasingly heavy in all areas of their lives in the occupied areas.
Referring to the invasion of Ukraine, she said we ask our European partners and the international community to show the same sensitivity and determination in relation to Cyprus and we are confident that we can count on Ireland's support as a friendly country equally loyal to principled positions.
He also expressed the unreserved solidarity and support of Cyprus and its Parliament towards Ireland, in times of extreme difficulty for both countries and for Europe as a whole.
The challenges we have to face are many and complex. One of them is the impact of Brexit. The issue of Ireland must be resolved with the full implementation of the relevant Protocol in order to preserve peace and stability in the country, as our two peoples know very well how precious and fragile this asset is, he said.
A one-minute silence was observed at the beginning of the session in memory of Zeta Emilianidou.
Source: CNA
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