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- Ελληνικά
The President of the Republic Mr.Nicos Christodoulides met today with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Mr.Colin Stewart at the Presidential Palace.
After the meeting, the Government Spokesman Mr. Constantinos Letibiotis told the media representatives. What the President of the Republic conveyed to Mr. Stewart, in view of his forthcoming announcement on the appointment of an envoy of the United Nations Secretary General, is once again the readiness of our side for a constructive attitude with a view to the resumption of negotiations. We believe that the reports of the United Nations Secretary-General and the permanent members of the Security Council should present the facts as they are, in their objective dimension, so that the conditions can be created for the immediate resumption of negotiations within the agreed framework. The President of the Republic once again conveyed to Mr. Stewart our stated intention for a constructive attitude, to continue to take initiatives and we expect the same sincere political will to be demonstrated by the other side."
In response to a question regarding the government's initial position on the content of the reports and what their objectivity implies for the Greek Cypriot side, the Government Spokesman said: "You understand that the objectivity of the reports is something that is always and should always be taken for granted. What is obvious and what is known - after all, it has also been dealt with by the UN Security Council if you remember well in August after the unacceptable incidents in Pyla - is to ensure, to clarify, to be clear that the status of the buffer zone is not open to any differentiation and that this, according to the terms of reference and the terms of reference of the peacekeeping force, will be ensured. At the same time, adherence to the agreed solution, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. I repeat, we are facing an important development after a prolonged stalemate on the Cyprus problem and the appointment of an envoy should mark a period in which the conditions for the resumption of negotiations can be explored."
Asked whether he has been informed by the United Nations whether they will proceed with the dismantling of the camera placed in the house in Agios Dometios, Mr. Letybiotis replied, "What the President has discussed and what he has once again reiterated to Mr. Stewart is that we expect precisely the peacekeeping force to restore the status quo in the buffer zone, in the house and in St. Dometius, and to continue efforts to implement the meeting in Pyla. That is our position. This is our stated position that we keep repeating. Mr. Stewart as a peacekeeping force, if you like, has an obligation under the terms of his mandate to ensure the status of the buffer zone and to restore the situation as it was before the incidents in Agios Dometios."
Asked how difficult he considers the new envoy's mission to be and whether the Greek Cypriot side has prepared for the possibility of another shipwreck, the Government Spokesman said: "You understand that we cannot enter into a process seeing the shipwreck. We enter into a process optimistic but very adequately and properly prepared to know the possibilities. We are realistic. What is most important at the moment is to take advantage of any opportunity, to take advantage of this timing but also of the important appointment, so that the conditions are created for the resumption of negotiations. It is a fact that, in accordance with the Security Council resolutions, there can be no other solution. It is a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality. What we believe is that if the same political will is shown on the other side, the resumption of negotiations can take place very soon. The National Council is also scheduled to be convened on Monday by the President of the Republic, who will discuss the strategy, the next steps if you like, with the appointment to exchange views with the political leadership of the country."
In response to a question on which parts of the reports especially with regard to the buffer zone issues, the government believes that there should be an improvement in the mapping, Letybiotis said: "You understand that we will have to wait to see the final text of the reports. There are drafts circulating, what the President has discussed with Mr. Stewart. What we want is for the facts and the facts as they stand in the buffer zone to be presented objectively. It is well known that we as the Republic of Cyprus respect the status of the buffer zone. Not only do we respect it, but in the face of a crisis, when the occupation regime attempted to challenge the regime in the buffer zone in Pyla, we took the initiative, a constructive attitude to turn this crisis into an opportunity. It is in accordance with these provisions of this concept that we started to implement the encounter, because we felt precisely that the implementation of the encounter in Pyla could be very beneficial for both communities in our country, and we are continuing. We expect this to be reflected also in the reports of the Secretary General."
Asked about the case of the Turkish Cypriot who was arrested in Italy and whether it has been clarified from where he travelled to Italy, Mr. Letibiotis replied that it is something that is being investigated. "From the first evidence that we have at least in mind, it seems that he did not travel from Larnaca. This is something that will be clarified in the coming days," he said. "There is a European warrant which was issued in 2007 if I am not mistaken. In it are clearly recorded the reasons why the warrant has been issued, among which are issues of usurpation of Greek Cypriot property."
Asked if the government will follow this pattern and regarding the measures it is considering for ongoing cases of usurpation, Letibiotis said: "Let me not go into that. As we have said, in studying legal measures, there is a very specific and very serious consideration of the legal measures that can be taken. Some of them will be announced. But there is a serious study that is being done and at this moment I don't think anything can be announced.
Asked whether the Turkish Cypriot was arrested because of the outstanding arrest warrant or because of something else and ultimately there was an outstanding warrant, Mr. Letybiotis replied that he was arrested for the execution of the warrant and this has already been announced, and now our authorities are in contact with the authorities in Italy.
Asked whether he held a Cypriot identity card, the Government Spokesman said: "I repeat, what is being attempted to ascertain at this moment is the documents he was in possession of."
Asked to comment on whether or not there will be a mass reshuffle, the Government Spokesman replied, "Whether or not there will be a reshuffle, you understand, according to the powers granted to him by the Constitution, is at the discretion of the President of the Republic. What the President of the Republic has said is that if he considers that some members of the Cabinet, some of his colleagues, need to be replaced in terms of the implementation of the government's work according to his own assessment, this will be done at the time he decides, without the completion of 18 months being the main criterion, if you like, as is customary for previous administrations. This is what the President of the Republic has indicated. At the same time, what he pointed out today is that we remain focused on the implementation of the government's work. This is what the Cypriot society has trusted the President of the Republic through his programme of governance and consequently and by extension the members of the Council of Ministers in the implementation of the President's programme of governance."
He also assured that "the cooperation between the President of the Republic and all his colleagues is excellent and smooth, and we are all focused on the implementation of the government's work. At the same time, I also underline that every day we are under the judgment of both society and the President of the Republic himself, because this is precisely our role and mission. The President of the Republic, I repeat, what he has said and what he has stressed many times is that he will not keep the completion of 18 months as the main criterion, as the only criterion, if he judges earlier that a member of the Cabinet needs to be replaced."
Finally, in response to a question as to whether or not the President of the Republic is so far satisfied with the performance of the ministers, Mr: "The President of the Republic evaluates according to his own criteria. I repeat, it is at the discretion of the President of the Republic, according to his own criteria, to evaluate the members of the Cabinet, his associates, all the people he has chosen to accompany him."
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