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- Ελληνικά
"Everything we have promised the Cypriot people we will implement," said President of the Republic Nicos Christodoulides, who expressed pride in the Government, the Ministers and the work produced so far.
In his remarks to journalists after the celebration of St. Maron at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Charity, when asked [REGARDING] what to expect on the Cyprus problem given the stance of Ankara and London, the President of the Republic said: "First, I want to reiterate that the fact that the Secretary General (SG) proceeded with the appointment of Ms. Holguín is a clear will that yes, the talks can resume and we can lead to the solution of the Cyprus problem, always on the basis of the agreed framework."
This is not even up for discussion. And this is the message that we have given not only ourselves, but also the message of the international community to both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community. There are difficulties, there are problems, there are challenges. But we are here, in cooperation with Mrs Holguín and the international community as a whole, including the European Union (EU), to do everything possible to achieve this goal.
Tomorrow the President of Germany will be in Cyprus. It will be the first time that the President of Germany will be here since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, since the establishment of diplomatic relations. It will be a first-class opportunity to discuss, to exchange views, taking into account Mr Steinmeier's previous roles and positions as Foreign Minister and his relations with Turkey, [ON] how to maintain the conditions for the resumption of talks. For us there is no other option."
To a reporter's remark that the issue of an EU envoy seems to be wrecked since it runs into Ankara's refusal, President Christodoulides said: "There is a negative inclination on the part of Turkey. This does not mean that this effort has ended for us. The EU's leading role is not to serve the positions of the Greek Cypriot side, the positions of the Republic of Cyprus. It is because the EU has those tools that can lead us to a mutually acceptable, mutually beneficial state of affairs both for the Cyprus problem, for the Cyprus settlement, for Turkey, for Euro-Turkish relations, for the region in general. And it is positive that this approach - about the EU's ability through its many tools to lead us to a mutually beneficial situation - is shared by many member states, and we continue our efforts."
Asked whether the work on the Cyprus Group has been completed, the President of the Republic said: "It has been completed. I will call them to the Presidential Office and everything is proceeding normally. We are getting ready."
Asked whether the position expressed by London through its High Commissioner in Cyprus tends to facilitate Ankara, the President said: "The position of the Republic of Cyprus, but more importantly at this juncture, the position of the international community and those who are genuinely interested in the Cyprus problem, is that the statements of the High Commissioner do not in any way help the effort to resume the talks.
What is important is that it is not just the position of the Republic of Cyprus, it is the position of the international community, it is the position of the international United Nations, and not only.
Such statements, especially at the present juncture when we are trying to resume the talks, certainly do not help. I don't want to go into the substance because such positions are not acceptable, they are not up for discussion."
In response to a reporter's remark that he is under fire from the opposition on the issue of local government and that his political opponents have referred to an observer government, the President said: "The Observer Government, according to some, is the one that is called upon - and will do so - to implement a reform that these observers voted for in the House of Representatives. The Minister of Interior is absolutely right in what he said, I mentioned it earlier in this context, for example, of my visit to the Akamas region, where we divided Akamas into two. We will implement what was passed by the House of Representatives and yes, on the basis of the challenges that will arise, we will not hesitate to make changes. But we are here for the tough stuff.
For discussions, for interventions in general by some - you know, the elections are coming up - we all have to be very careful and even more so we, the Government, should not enter into approaches, into discussions, into dialogues, which at the end of the day are intended to serve two objectives: personal and partisan agendas."
Asked whether on the substance there is a question of sustainability and to a journalist's remark that there are many approaches on this, the President said: "Of course, do you think it is right - and this was passed by Parliament, not by the present Government - in some of the regions to have so many deputy mayors, for example? That is what Parliament voted for. And we, yes, we have the courage [TO SPEAK] in public.
We tried to make changes before we got here. There was no positive response from the House. So, we are moving forward with the implementation of an important reform. To avoid any misunderstanding, this reform had to be done - it would clearly be better to have far fewer municipalities. We will implement it, we will evaluate it and for any changes needed we have the courage to go to Parliament specifically and change it."
Asked to comment on the result of polls that show him not enjoying a high positive opinion, the President said: "Almost one year into the government - tomorrow is the anniversary of the second Sunday of the elections - I am very, very proud of the government, of the ministers, much more so of the work that has been produced in one year, on very specific issues, not in general, not in vague terms. I will have the opportunity to address the Cypriot people on 4 March to take stock of the first year. From then on we continue our work and you can be sure, both you and the Cypriot people who are watching us, because that is what we are aiming for, that everything we have promised to the Cypriot people we will deliver."
(PM/AF/MS)
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