[PIO] House of Representatives communiqué

Address by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs: The Turkish Cypriots and Us: A Greek Cypriot Perspective.

Wednesday 20 September 2023, University of Cyprus, 9:00 a.m.

Fellow Members of Parliament,

Dear Former Ministers, Former Members of Parliament,

Dear Rector,

Dear President and members of the Institute for Policy and Democracy Studies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an undeniable fact that the creative functioning of think tanks in a modern liberal democracy is a useful parameter for the development of a healthy and informed debate regarding challenges and possible solutions to social, economic and geopolitical demands.

Coupling the scientific study and research of political phenomena and trends at the international and regional level with active policy-making facilitates science-based decision-making, making it qualitatively better and thus more beneficial to society as a whole. In particular, the disengagement from the current micro-political process and the focus on medium and long-term horizons, ensures conditions for the formulation of approaches based on rational judgment.

For this very reason, I would like, first of all, to congratulate the President and Members of the Board of Directors, the Director and all the collaborating members of the research staff of the Institute for Policy and Democracy Studies for the activity they have developed so far.

The topic chosen for today's scientific conference, combined with the very worthy and distinguished speakers, is sure to create impulses for a fruitful dialogue and reflection, regarding the past but especially the future of the people in our country.

From the period of colonialism and through the historical development of the years of Independence, until the Turkish invasion and the 5 decades that followed, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have been seeking ways to preserve and consolidate their presence in Cyprus. The dominant objectives have almost always been opposing, which has pushed the reproduction of conflictual approaches, resulting in constant suspicion and distancing. Aggressive narratives of demonisation of others by the political classes, the press and the School were monotonously alternated with the stimulation of a sense of injustice, for which the blame was usually placed on the other community.

We discuss among ourselves the Cyprus Problem, the occupation, the refugees, the federation, we address the UN, the European Union and other international organizations and third states, but we ourselves have not learned, we have not known the other community. At the same time, in 2023 it is a fact that more than half of the living Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots were not even born in 1974. Understanding the historical trajectory, social ferment, beliefs, aspirations, concerns and internal political and other stratifications of the other Community is not simply a research question. It concerns the very solution and substance of the Cyprus Problem and, more importantly, the post-solution era and the prospects for peace and prosperity in our homeland. Because the success of an agreed solution in Cyprus will be judged not only by the provisions of the texts of the Agreements but also by the mood, the will, the effort of the entire Cypriot people, not excluding the future political leaders. And we must understand that this is an ongoing effort in which we must invest since it does not stop with the signing or settlement of an agreement, but begins somewhere around there.

In recent years, the rapid development of communication technologies, combined with the partial lifting of restrictions on movement since April 2003, have created opportunities for systematic contacts between the two Communities for the first time since 1974. While this mobility and contact is taking place mainly on a social and partly on an economic basis, not much has yet been done at the level of coordinated structures. It is on these issues that in the coming days we will discuss both with the coordinators of bi-communal programmes at the House of Cooperation and at the meeting with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties in the framework of the Intercommunal Dialogue. We want to explore together more creative ways of engaging young people and women in bi-communal initiatives (because yes that is where I think the difference can be made). We still want to find methods to facilitate bi-communal cooperation and we are open to hearing feasible ideas that will have a positive impact. Much can and needs to be done also in the field of education, the academic world can play a leading role in a positive direction. And especially now, in a period of negotiating quagmire and attempts to impose new ultimatums that have cost us, we need it more than ever.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

As the Turkish Cypriot Community is now acutely feeling the threat to its existence from colonization, economic dependence and cultural penetration by Turkey, while Greek Cypriots continue to experience the tragic results of the occupation, the Cypriot people as a whole must seek peace, reunification and prosperity on the basis of an agreed federal solution. Both the UN Security Council resolutions and the European framework offer precisely this prospect, which we must make use of. We all recognise the difficulties, failures, disagreements and failures of the past. And we are tired of dwelling and limiting ourselves to them.

Today more than ever we realise that the perpetuation of the status quo can neither be sustainable nor acceptable. We hope and work for the resumption of inter-communal talks under the auspices of the UN which should aim to reunite the land and the people of Cyprus and to build a modern, optimistic and prosperous society in which the ethnic, religious, political and cultural elements of the identity of each citizen and community are fully respected and safeguarded.

I wish you every success in the proceedings of the Conference and apologise in advance that I will not be able to attend all the presentations due to the Cabinet meeting that I will have to chair due to the absence of the President of the Republic in New York. I am sure that we will discuss the results of the proceedings with the Board of the Institute, then I will be happy to listen and exchange views on broader issues related to the Cyprus Problem. Let us finally invest in scholarship, the presentation of real challenges and issues or aspects, ignoring obvious superficial and deliberate phobic approaches.

Thank you.

(Text as sent from the House of Representatives)
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