[PIO] Statements by the Government Spokesman on the Cyprus problem

We call once again on Turkey and the occupying regime to recognize the legal rights, which have been violated for 50 years on this island, said today Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letibiotis.

Speaking to reporters after the commemoration of the heroes of Kato Paphos, and asked what the Government expects following the submission of the report of the Personal Envoy of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General (SG) Ms. María Ángela Holguín, the Spokesperson said: "Ms. Holguín, as is well known, delivered her report to the UN Secretary-General. What we now expect is for the Secretary General himself to assess, to study Ms. Holguín's report and recommendations, and the immediate next stage is for him to advise on what he considers to be the next steps that can be taken in the effort to resume negotiations. We, once again, publicly declare our readiness to contribute even more positively to this effort to resume negotiations."

Asked if there is any indication as to when the UN Secretary General will decide, the Spokesperson replied. We hope it will be soon, and soon there will be those developments that will resume the talks."

Asked to comment on party criticisms in relation to the Cyprus issue, the Spokesman said: "What we will note on every occasion, what we note after every meeting of the National Council, is that on the Cyprus problem, and particularly on the Cyprus problem, it is imperative and imperative that there be unity. And this unity is a necessary condition, as our history has taught us.

Disagreements are legitimate, different approaches are perfectly reasonable. But what must exist is a common course, a common direction of all the political forces, of all the domestic forces, in this common effort for the reunification of our homeland.

It is something we must say that within the National Council we can observe this sober approach, this common concern of all the political forces for the common goal, which is none other than the final and viable solution of the Cyprus problem within the agreed framework."

In response to a reporter's remark that the events in the occupied territories to mark the invasion will be attended, in addition to the Turkish President, by the head of the Turkish opposition, "which we do not see happening in our case," the Spokesman said: "This year's 20th of July is a reminder of the tragedy that our island has experienced for 50 years. For the first time, the Greek Prime Minister will be on our island, as part of the anniversary event, following an invitation he has received from the President of the Republic, to send the message that Athens and Nicosia, Nicosia and Athens, are united, remain coordinated towards the resolution of the Cyprus problem, to make Cyprus a normal state, so that Cypriot citizens - all Cypriot citizens - can enjoy the same rights that European citizens enjoy in all other member states of the European Union and in all developed countries. This is the message we will send on 20 July.

At the same time, it will be a different climate, unfortunately, in our occupied areas. Once again, from what we have been informed, from what we see in the media, Mr. Erdoğan will be accompanied by other members of Turkey's political leadership.

What we want - what we wish for - is that there is that responsible attitude, a recognition that Cyprus must and should in its history and in its future and its people to keep up with international law. And we call once again on Turkey and the occupying regime to recognize these legitimate rights, legitimate rights, which for 50 years have been violated on this island."

Asked how much the "open line" between Mitsotakis and Erdoğan could help, the Spokesman said: "We have said from the very beginning that this improvement in Greek-Turkish relations is something we have to approach and we approach it as a positive development. It goes without saying, as the Greek Prime Minister himself has stated, that in these relations an important factor, an important parameter is the Cyprus problem. Greek-Turkish relations go through the Cyprus problem and the Cyprus problem certainly affects these relations.

We believe that the improvement of these relations can have a positive impact on our efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem and, as such, we approach it positively. Besides, the coordination and communication between the President of the Republic and the Greek Prime Minister is both continuous and uninterrupted."

(PM/MS)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source