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- Ελληνικά
"In the next few days, I believe, we will have announcements in the direction of starting an effort to see if there is ground to resume substantive talks on the Cyprus problem from where they were interrupted in the summer of 2017," President of the Republic Nicos Christodoulides said today.
In his statements to journalists after the end of the commemoration of the heroes of the Trullo community, the President of the Republic of Cyprus was asked about his participation in the Peace Conference held yesterday in Cairo, Egypt, and said that "the Republic of Cyprus is a state of the region, it is an EU state, it is a state that has excellent relations with all the neighbouring states.
In this context, it was important that we were at this Summit, and it was, I think, also a recognition of what I said before, but also of whatever role we can play, without exaggerations and grand statements. France, Germany, Germany, Italy, Spain because it is the Presidency of the Council, and the Republic of Cyprus and Greece were also invited. So, that in itself is important.
I had the opportunity during my presence there, in addition to the President of Egypt, Mr. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, to meet with the President of the United Arab Emirates, the President of Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, with leaders from Qatar and other countries in the region, to see how conditions can be created that do not exacerbate this ugly situation before us, but also create a de-escalation.
Within this framework, the Republic of Cyprus can contribute either in terms of the unimpeded provision of humanitarian aid, can help - and we are already doing so - if there is a need for evacuation in the region, but also, because of the excellent relations that we have with all parties, to start a dialogue that could possibly lead to a de-escalation. And I think this is very important.
And it was one of the reasons why, after the conclusion of the Summit, I went to Israel, met with the Prime Minister and with the President of the country. In addition to clearly condemning Hamas' terrorist attacks - terrorism from whoever it comes from is reprehensible - I specifically mentioned these points, I developed some ideas that we have and that we shared with our Arab friends to see how we can create, I repeat, a situation that will not lead to further escalation. We hope to reach de-escalation, because, you understand, we are all affected by these developments.
The UN Secretary General and the UN Assistant Secretary General were at the Peace Conference, which I think is very important, because one of the elements that we are trying to achieve is to make an effort to resume talks to resolve the Palestinian issue on the basis of the agreed framework.
But where I will stand is that I had, yes, a discussion with the UN Secretary General on the prospects for the resumption of talks on the Cyprus problem. I am optimistic from what he has conveyed to me.
In the next few days, without wanting to go into any details or speak for the UN Secretary General, I think we will have announcements in the direction of starting an effort to see if there is that ground to resume substantive talks from where they were interrupted in the summer of 2017."
Asked to refer to his meetings in Israel with the President and the Prime Minister of the country, the President of the Republic said that "they presented to me the state of affairs as it is at the moment and asked from the side of the Republic of Cyprus, because we are an EU member state, because we have excellent relations with all the neighbouring states - I remind you that I went there from Cairo - they asked for some specific issues that we need to look at immediately, I cannot make them public, but they are issues relating to humanitarian aid, the possible evacuation from the region, but also the transfer of the real picture within the EU.
Because, to be honest, it has to be said that, in this crisis, the EU has not shown the necessary reflexes. Let me remind you that the extraordinary European Council was held almost ten days after the Hamas terrorist attack.
So, it is important that they approach the Republic of Cyprus, as well as Egypt, the role of the Republic of Cyprus as their representative in the EU institutions, to convey the situation as it is, but also to see, because this is the main issue, how data and conditions are created to de-escalate the situation."
So, it is important that they approach the Republic of Cyprus, as well as Egypt, the role of the Republic of Cyprus as their representative in the EU institutions, to convey the situation as it is, but also to see, because this is the main issue, how data and conditions are created to de-escalate the situation.
Asked about the issue of the Consensus reached on Pyla and the start of works in the area, the President said that "I consider it important that this Consensus was reached, which was the product of discussions with Turkey itself. And I want to mention this.
The works start tomorrow, the basic issue, the status of the buffer zone, is secured, and at the same time, through the development that will take place, the community of Pyla and not only will be helped, and I think it is another indication of our goodwill, because, let me remind you, this proposal, which in the end was adopted, was a proposal from our side, while we had seen the actions of the occupation regime.
But through the support of the international community as well, because there has been significant support for this effort of ours, we have arrived at what will begin to be implemented tomorrow.
It will have its challenges, I want to be absolutely honest, it will have its difficulties, but we are here. Exactly, to deal with those potential problems that will arise. It is a very, very important agreement and I think that in the next few days we will have a statement from the UN Security Council itself in relation to what has been achieved on Pyla."
(PM/IS)
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